UNICROSS Debunks Social Media Allegations on Certificates and Results

The Management of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has dismissed as false and malicious a social media post alleging that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, is withholding graduates’ certificates.

In a statement issued by the University Management, the institution described the claims as baseless and misleading, clarifying that Prof. Bassey is not responsible for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) policy mandating graduates to present certificates before induction. The policy, it explained, predates her tenure.

According to the statement, Prof. Bassey inherited a backlog of thousands of unsigned certificates upon assuming office as Acting Vice Chancellor seven months ago. Since then, she has cleared the backlog, often working late into the night and on weekends. “As of today, all certificates submitted to her have been signed and returned to the appropriate units for collection. There is no single certificate currently awaiting her signature,” the statement noted, adding that thousands of signed certificates are still pending collection at the University Registry.

Management further dismissed claims that Prof. Bassey is delaying graduations, stressing that she has not yet overseen a graduating class since assuming office. The statement pointed out that past delays were largely due to students failing to pay school fees on time, which made certificate production impossible. Under her leadership, measures have been implemented to ensure prompt fee payments and timely certificate processing.

To address long-standing issues with result management, Prof. Bassey established a Directorate of Exams and Results — the first in the university’s history — to digitize and streamline result processing. The university is currently migrating over five million results accumulated over a decade to a new portal, with completion expected before the new academic session.

The statement also highlighted reforms introduced in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) system for General Studies courses, where students now receive instant results upon submission. In addition, staff members who fail to upload results within two weeks of exams now face salary delays, a move the university says has improved accountability and compliance.

Prof. Bassey’s administration, the statement continued, has been focused on student welfare, digital transformation, and infrastructural development. She has launched a smart campus initiative to provide full internet access on two of the university’s three campuses, while ongoing hostel renovations aim to improve student accommodation.

To boost staff morale, the university has also implemented the new minimum wage, approved by Governor Bassey Otu, the institution’s Visitor.

The Management urged the public to disregard the social media claims, describing them as the handiwork of mischief-makers seeking to undermine the Vice Chancellor’s reform agenda. It emphasized that while some inherited challenges remain, the administration is working tirelessly to resolve them.

The statement also cautioned students against spreading falsehoods on social media, advising them to use official channels to seek clarification on any issue. It reaffirmed that UNICROSS under Prof. Bassey operates an open-door policy committed to transparency, student welfare, and academic excellence.