UEE Clarifies Affiliate Certificate Issuance Process, Urges Graduates to Remain Calm

The University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa, has clarified the circumstances surrounding the delay in the issuance of certificates to graduates of its affiliate degree programmes, following reports of a planned protest by some affected graduates ahead of the next National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilization exercise.

The University said the clarification was necessary to provide the proper context of the affiliation arrangement with the University of Calabar (UNICAL), address misconceptions about the certificate issuance process, and reassure stakeholders that efforts are ongoing to resolve the matter.

According to the institution, before it became the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, it operated as the Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa, which was not authorized to award degrees. As a result, its degree programmes were run through an affiliation with the University of Calabar.

Under the arrangement, the College handled teaching, examinations, moderation, and the processing of academic results in line with approved regulations, while the University of Calabar retained the statutory responsibility for approving results, certifying successful candidates, and issuing degree certificates.

Although the affiliation is being phased out following UEE's transition into a degree-awarding university, the institution stressed that certificates for students admitted under the affiliation remain the sole responsibility of the University of Calabar.

UEE maintained that it had fulfilled all obligations required under the affiliation by forwarding the academic results and records of all qualified graduates to UNICAL within the stipulated timeframe for certificate processing. It emphasized that it has neither the legal mandate nor the administrative authority to produce or issue certificates on behalf of the University of Calabar.

The University's Registrar, Amb. Gabriel O. Egbe, Ph.D., reiterated that UEE had long submitted the results of all qualified affiliate graduates to UNICAL for certificate processing. He explained that the responsibility for issuing certificates rests exclusively with the affiliating institution and noted that the University has consistently communicated this position to affected graduates through official memoranda and other approved communication channels while maintaining active engagement with UNICAL.

Management also clarified that the delay is not unique to UEE affiliate graduates. It noted that graduates from other institutions affiliated with the University of Calabar, as well as some graduates of UNICAL itself, are also awaiting their certificates, indicating that the issue is systemic rather than specific to UEE.

Despite not being directly responsible for certificate production, UEE said it has continued to engage the University of Calabar to facilitate a timely resolution. According to the University, it has received assurances from UNICAL that all outstanding certificates will be processed and released before the opening of the next NYSC mobilization portal.

The institution further disclosed that the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar has convened a round-table meeting with the heads of affiliated institutions to address challenges affecting affiliate programmes. The meeting is expected to strengthen collaboration among the institutions and develop lasting solutions, particularly regarding the timely processing and issuance of certificates.

While acknowledging the concerns of affected graduates, UEE said the progress made through ongoing engagements and the regular updates provided to graduates leave little justification for the proposed protest. The University added that if there are additional grievances, such concerns have not been formally communicated to Management through the established channels.

The University encouraged affected graduates to continue using appropriate channels for dialogue and peaceful resolution of their concerns, reaffirming its open-door policy and commitment to protecting the interests of both the graduates and the institution.