UNICROSS Matriculation Postponed as Students Protest ₦10,000 Gown Fee, Rising Charges Spark Campus Tension

Tension has gripped the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) following the decision of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francisca Bassey, to fix the cost of renting an academic gown for the 2025/2026 matriculation ceremony at ₦10,000, a move that has triggered protests and forced the postponement of the event.

Fresh students say the new charge represents a sharp increase from the ₦2,000 previously paid for gown rental in past years, describing the hike as unjustifiable amid broader concerns over rising costs on campus.

The disagreement over the matriculation gown fee has added to existing unrest linked to allegations of extortion by the university’s management, as well as an ongoing protest by the Joint Action Congress (JAC), which represents the institution’s three non-teaching staff unions.

Students also accuse the university authorities of recently approving a 100 per cent increase in school fees, alongside additional charges that they claim have placed an unbearable financial burden on parents and guardians.

The situation prompted the university to postpone the matriculation ceremony indefinitely. In a circular dated January 26, 2026, the Registrar, Dr Catherine Osai, confirmed that the decision was taken in response to the escalating tension and the JAC protest.

The notice stated that the 24th Matriculation Ceremony, earlier scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the Calabar Campus and Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Ogoja and Okuku campuses, would no longer hold as planned.

According to the registrar, the postponement was necessitated by the ongoing industrial action by the non-teaching unions and the unrest generated by the high cost of academic gowns and the recent increase in school fees.

The university expressed regret over the disruption, apologising to students, staff and members of the public for any inconvenience caused by the indefinite suspension of the ceremony.

As of Wednesday, the university management had yet to issue a fresh statement addressing students’ demands or clarifying whether the ₦10,000 gown fee would be reviewed.