University of Calabar alumnus, Emmanuel Richard slams University of Calabar for lack of communication amidst students crises.

In a post titled ‘The habitual silence of the University of Calabar when it matters most, the former University of Calabar student decried the bad communication mechanism of his Alma mater, describing the university's move as medicine after death.

In a now viral post shared on his verified Facebook handle, Emmanuel Richard accused the university helmsman of negligence of duties.

Read his post below: 

               University of Calabar logo

THE HABITUAL SILENCE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR WHEN IT MATTERS MOST.

For the over five years I spent at the University of Calabar pursuing a four-year course, it was always when things seemed to get out of hands that the university management often find pleasure in addressing the almost decaying issues. 

Suffice to say, the school usually pays deaf ears and maintained blind eyes to matters until a protest was in sight before they sluggishly jump into action. 

Ranging from various degrees of students concern to staff and overall management system, the school keeps battling reoccurring challenges. I wonder who is to be blamed since the helmsman often deny her consent into matters that normally she should have been privy to.

Just recently, the future of some medical students from UNICAL were almost cut off if not for the swift intervention of well-meaning Nigerians. If the institution was left alone to decide on their fate, I bet you, most of those students would have been sent home after some of them have spent a better part of their lives studying.

Today, the Federal Government had decided to enforce a new NERD policy for Prospective Corp Members effective 6th October, 2025. While other institutions have released memos to guide their students and PCMs on how to upload their projects prior to the uploading of senate approved list from Monday 20th October, the University of Calabar has in her usual style of not being aware of pressing issues chosen to remain silent.

Prospective Corp Members from the University of Calabar are currently in a state of dilemma; whether to forge ahead with their project submission or wait for the institution to give instructions just as others have done. 

I wouldn't be surprised if the institution resolves to make a statement denying any knowledge of ongoing NERD compliance. Meanwhile, the University of Uyo is issuing attestation letters to her PCMs. 

Far from the theses submission issue, the Faculty of Education of the University of Calabar is another thorn on students' flesh. While other faculties get things moving forward, the Education faculty often derive pride in holding students back. 

For instance, last year, final year students from the faculty who registered for the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria professional qualifying examination weren't given the privilege of sitting for the examination. The faculty gave no explanation for that. 

Then this year, two sets of final year students were added to last year's. Those from last year had to wait for over nine months before they were finally able to write the examination. Unfortunately, some of the students who registered for the examination could not travel down to Calabar, hence, they forfeited the opportunity of being certified teachers, as well as the registration fee a waste of resources.

Since after the examination, the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa and the University of Cross River State have held induction and certification ceremonies for those who passed the exam. In the case of the University of Calabar, after they fixed 1st September for the induction, it was postponed indefinitely. This was after students traveled from far places to join in the induction ceremony due to the policy of no induction no certification. Till this day,  not a single explanation was given to students regarding the reason for the postponement of the induction. It is silence as usual.

If the University of Calabar should continue in this manner of taking important issues as a joke, it will result into harming the destiny of many Nigerian youths and students.

Mahatma Gandhi rightly submitted when  he said that ‘silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out justice for the wronged.’ 

To this end, I appeal to the University management to clear the air on the position of things to put an end to the many speculations and dilemmas students are currently faced with.

A stitch in time saves nine!

Emmanuel Richard 

University of Calabar alumnus.