The management of the College of Nursing Sciences, Ogoja, and a senior aide to the Cross River State Governor have refuted recent allegations of extortion leveled against the institution following a viral social media video.
Dr. (Mrs.) Ohora Enyieko, Provost of the college, described the claims as “baseless and malicious,” adding that they stem from misinformation and a lack of understanding of standard academic procedures.
In a statement released over the weekend, Dr. Enyieko called the viral video “a display of unmitigated ignorance,” emphasizing that certificate verification — a routine part of student enrollment — only occurs after official admission into the institution.
“The verification of certificates from WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB is a responsibility undertaken by the college after students have been admitted,” she said. “This is standard across universities, polytechnics, and similar institutions in Nigeria.”
She further revealed that the controversy originated from a group of students who submitted forged academic credentials. These individuals were dismissed in line with institutional policy after their documents failed verification checks.
Responding to demands for refunds, Dr. Enyieko stated that tuition fees and other charges are clearly outlined in the college’s admission brochure and are non-refundable once academic activities commence.
In addition to denying the allegations, Dr. Enyieko accused the video’s creator of attempting to blackmail the college administration after previously raising unrelated complaints in her office.
She urged parents and guardians to direct any legitimate concerns to the appropriate channels, such as the Hon. Commissioner for Health, the College Board, or the Provost’s office.
“There is no case of extortion by the management or board of the College of Nursing Sciences, Ogoja,” she said. “We remain committed to transparency, integrity, and academic excellence.”
In addition to the Provost’s statement, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Nursing Affairs, Mr. Coco-Bassey Esu, also dismissed the allegations during a phone interview with Newsweekng. He criticized the video as misleading and said its author lacked an understanding of the nursing profession and educational standards.
“As someone familiar with nursing education, I can affirm that credential verification is essential,” Esu said. “If any student is discovered to have submitted fake documents, they are expelled, and no refunds are issued.”
Esu stressed the importance of a six-month training period required before student indexing by national regulatory bodies, a step that further validates their credentials. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to upholding discipline, honesty, and professionalism in nursing education.
The public is being advised to disregard the claims made in the video and to trust the existing protocols that ensure only qualified individuals are admitted and retained in the nursing program.
