Emma Elekwa
Some university lecturers in Anambra state have raised the alarm over growing cases of admission racketeering in tertiary institutions across the country, describing it as institutional suicide.
The dons who spoke in Onitsha at the 2026 Feast of Barracuda Lectures themed, “Admission Racketeering in Higher Institutions, Values, Institutional Suicide and the Death of a Nation,” organized by National Association of Seadogs, blamed the ugly trend on socio-political and economic pressures, calling for collective action to fight the menace.
Prof. Tochukwu Okeke of Department of Theatre and Film Studies, faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University identified admission racketeering to include sale of admission to lesser qualified candidates and manipulation of tertiary institution’s admission for monetary rewards.
According to him, selling slots meant for merit, catchment areas and educationally disadvantaged spaces are also part of racketeering, regretting that such practices are gradually eroding values attached to the certificates at graduation.
He said, “Catchment and merit, educationally disadvantaged areas, Vice Chancellor (VC) list and staff children list contribute more than 75 per cent of the admission racketeering.
“We pride ourselves as real graduates during our days. But today, the case is different. Ask a graduate a single thing in the discipline he studied, you’ll be disappointed with their response.
Slots for politicians
“Also some slots are reserved for politicians. Instead of organizing mass education for the society, the politicians are mounting pressure on the VC for their candidates’ slots.
“Most schools don’t have enabling environments and functional laboratories; non payment of adequate salary, forcing lecturers to look for extra means to meet up with family obligations.”
Another resource person, Dr. Charles Ajaegbu from Department of Theatre Arts, Faculty of Arts, Paul University, Awka described admission racketeering as not just an educational problem but a moral, institutional and national crisis.
According to him, institutions that engage in admission fraud commit institutional suicide by undermining their own credibility, standards and purpose.
“Replacing merit with corruption destroys the values upon which education and society are built.
“When educational systems become corrupt, talented students and scholars may seek opportunities abroad.
“This contributes to brain drain and weakens national intellectual development.
“When unqualified individuals gain admission through corruption, institutions will produce graduates lacking competence and professionalism.
“Such graduates may later occupy sensitive positions in medicine, law, engineering, education and governance.
Resultant effects
“The resultant effect can be poor healthcare delivery, infrastructural collapse, weak governance, unemployment and economic stagnation, loss of national values and identity,” he stated.
Proffering solution to the menace, Ajaegbu stressed need for governments to increase funding and establish more quality institutions to reduce competition pressures.
“Combating admission racketeering requires collective action from government, educational institutions, parents, students and society at large.
“Only through integrity, transparency and commitment to merit can higher education regain its dignity and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“There’s also need for ethical reorientation: Society must promote values of merit and fairness through education and public campaigns,” he added.
Earlier, President of National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Onitsha Chapter, Engr. Benjamin Agbala said the lecture offered the group opportunity to fight ills millitating against attainment of just society.
He said, “We fight the ills through advocacy programmes, through physical contributions and social work.
“We organise lectures for ignorant people to be aware. We have series of lectures handled by competent lecturers.
“This feast of Barracuda lecture is one of the means of condemning the admission racketeering in our tertiary institutions.
“There is this dangerous fish called Barracuda fish, very dreadful and when it is killed the other fish celebrate their freedom.
“Today, we have killed the admission racketeering (Barracuda fish) since it is an Ill-wind that blows nobody good.”
