“No Transfers, Only Cash”: UNN Staff Caught in Viral Cash-for-Clearance Scandal Amid Mounting Public Outcry [VIDEO]

 

Allegations of corruption have rocked the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as a staff member from the Faculty of Agriculture has come under fire for allegedly demanding ₦16,000 in cash from incoming students seeking admission clearance.

A video now circulating widely on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has placed a spotlight on what many are calling a brazen and unofficial extortion scheme. Captured discreetly by a concerned student, the footage reveals a staff member receiving and carefully counting cash handed over by a new student during the ongoing clearance process.

Shock and indignation followed quickly as the video garnered thousands of views and comments, sparking heated conversations about the broader issue of unauthorized financial demands within Nigerian universities. The anonymous student who recorded and shared the clip claimed that the staff member not only requested ₦16,000 per student but also strictly refused to accept electronic bank transfers—insisting on physical cash only.

“This is not fair,” the student can be heard saying in the video. “This man is collecting ₦16,000 from each student. Thousands are coming for clearance and he tells you he doesn’t take transfers.” The whistleblower’s voice carries a mix of frustration and disbelief, underscoring a deeper issue many say has long plagued institutions of higher learning in the country.

Thousands of reactions have since flooded the platform, with users demanding accountability and transparency. Many pointed out that such demands are not isolated incidents and could represent a systemic pattern within other departments at the university.

Social media users didn’t hold back. Some tagged the official accounts of the university and the Nigerian Ministry of Education, calling for an urgent probe. Others recounted similar experiences from their time at the university, painting a troubling picture of unofficial levies and cash payments becoming normalized in processes that should be transparent and affordable.

“This isn’t just about one staff member or one faculty,” wrote one commenter. “This is about a culture of impunity where students are expected to pay for services that are supposed to be free or officially regulated. It’s exploitation, plain and simple.”

UNN, one of Nigeria’s premier federal universities, prides itself on academic excellence and integrity. However, this recent controversy has cast a shadow over that reputation, particularly as the university's leadership has remained silent since the allegations came to light.

While the video continues to attract attention, UNN management has yet to issue a formal response or indicate whether an internal investigation has been launched. This delay in communication has only intensified frustration among students, parents, and alumni who are calling for transparency and decisive action.

Legal and educational analysts argue that the refusal to accept bank transfers suggests an intentional effort to avoid accountability. “When public servants reject traceable payments in favor of cash, it raises serious red flags,” said Tolu Adediran, an education policy consultant. “It’s a common tactic to avoid paper trails and bypass scrutiny.”

Parents, many of whom are already burdened by Nigeria’s current economic challenges, have voiced concerns that such illicit charges place an undue financial strain on families struggling to provide their children with access to education. For them, the clearance process is supposed to be a moment of hope and transition—not a minefield of financial exploitation.

The incident also raises concerns about student vulnerability during key academic processes. Clearance, which typically includes verification of credentials and documentation, is a crucial phase for new entrants. At such a critical juncture, students are often less likely to speak out against perceived authority figures, for fear of repercussions that could jeopardize their admission.

Students' unions and civil society groups are now joining the call for reform. Advocacy organizations such as the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) have urged the Federal Ministry of Education to investigate not just the incident at UNN, but the broader pattern of unofficial fees across Nigerian universities.

“There must be systemic accountability. This issue won’t be resolved by suspending one person or issuing a press release,” said ERC spokesperson Ifeoma Okoye. “We need mechanisms to report abuse, and we need university administrations that don’t tolerate corruption at any level.”

Although the viral video has stirred widespread condemnation, it may also serve as a tipping point for broader reform in Nigerian higher education. With mounting pressure from students, civil society, and the public, the university’s next steps could determine whether this incident marks the beginning of change—or just another forgotten scandal.

Until then, thousands of new students at UNN and across Nigeria continue to navigate academic systems that sometimes ask more of their wallets than their intellect.