The University of Calabar announced a new Central Admission System during its 38th Convocation on Friday, aiming to stop racketeering, improve transparency and respect the university's approved capacity. Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Offiong Offiong said admissions will now be processed exclusively through this system, ending irregular practices and "over‑admission". He called for "stronger collaboration with regulatory bodies to address inherited challenges and to reposition the university for academic excellence." The university is graduating more than 10,000 students from diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The best graduating student, Offiong Edet, received N500,000 from the Student Union Government, while each of the 52 first‑class graduates was awarded N50,000. Prof. Offiong urged all stakeholders to back the reforms to protect the institution's reputation and maintain public trust in its admissions.
The immediate effect of UNICAL's centralised admissions is that prospective students will now face a single, verifiable entry point, reducing the chance of illicit fees and guaranteeing that enrolment numbers align with the university's capacity. This move mirrors nationwide calls for stricter oversight of admission processes, echoing concerns that have long plagued JAMB and other tertiary institutions. By tightening controls, UNICAL sets a precedent that could pressure other universities to adopt similar systems, potentially curbing the widespread practice of over‑admission.
Applicants should monitor the university's official channels for the rollout schedule and ensure they submit documents through the designated portal, avoiding any third‑party agents that claim to guarantee admission. Parents are advised to verify that all communications originate from UNICAL's official website or verified social media accounts before making any payments.
