Tension Mounts at UNICROSS as Matriculation Ceremony Postponed Over N10,000 Gown Fee

The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has indefinitely postponed its 24th matriculation ceremony following rising unrest over the cost of academic gowns and a recent surge in school fees.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, set the rental price for matriculation gowns at N10,000 for the two-hour ceremony. Students have described this as “exorbitant,” contrasting it with the N2,000 fee charged in previous years. They further criticized the university for recently doubling school fees and introducing additional charges, which they claim have turned the institution into a “fortress for extortion.”

The postponement was compounded by a protest from the Joint Action Congress (JAC) representing the three non-teaching staff unions at UNICROSS. The Registrar, Dr. Catherine Osai, confirmed the suspension in a circular dated January 26, 2026, citing both the JAC protest and the “tension generated by the high cost of academic gowns and increased school fees” as reasons for the action.

According to the circular, the ceremony previously scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Calabar Campus, and Friday, January 30, 2026, at Ogoja and Okuku Campuses, is now postponed indefinitely.

Dr. Osai expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to students, staff, and the public, emphasizing that the university hopes to resolve the situation before rescheduling the matriculation.

The incident highlights growing friction between UNICROSS management and its stakeholders over rising educational costs and administrative decisions affecting student welfare.