By Our Reporter
The cost of convocation gowns at Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, has sparked outrage among prospective graduands, who are calling on Governor Umo Eno to intervene in what they describe as an excessive increase in charges ahead of the university’s December convocation.
Investigations by The Evangelist indicate that prospective doctoral graduands are reportedly required to pay ₦200,000, while those graduating with master’s degrees are expected to pay ₦150,000 for their convocation gowns. The reported charges also include ₦45,000 for undergraduate graduates and ₦60,000 for Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) graduates.
The latest charges represent a significant increase from those reportedly paid during the university’s April convocation, when master’s degree graduands paid ₦85,000 each, while doctoral graduands paid ₦150,000. The development has left affected students questioning the justification for the increases and whether the payments cover the outright purchase of the gowns, their rental, or other convocation-related expenses.
“This overnight increase in the cost of graduating gowns is another form of extortion by AKSU. It appears to be a recurring problem in some departments of the university since I became a student,” an aggrieved graduand lamented. Another prospective graduand, who spoke on condition of anonymity, warned that unless the trend was checked, future graduates might face charges running into hundreds of thousands of naira.
The students appealed to the state government, as the institution’s proprietor, to investigate the charges and ensure that convocation expenses remain reasonable and transparent.
When contacted by telephone for his reaction, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Otoabasi Akpan, reportedly said determining the cost of academic gowns was not the responsibility of his office and advised the reporter to visit the university and make inquiries from the relevant departments.
He added that he would only respond to journalists’ questions during a press conference. Meanwhile, students have also raised concerns about accommodation costs, alleging that a hostel room reportedly costs ₦1 million per session and accommodates four students, translating to ₦250,000 per student.
They have urged Governor Eno to investigate the complaints, review the university’s fee structure and ensure that the institution’s charges are fair, transparent and consistent with its public-service mandate.
