The University of Cross River State has indefinitely postponed its 24th matriculation ceremony amid growing unrest over the rising cost of matriculation gowns.
Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, set the rental fee for the academic gowns at ten thousand naira for the two-hour event, a figure students say is “way too high against the two thousand naira which used to be the cost for renting the gown in previous years.”
Students also criticized the recent 100% increase in school fees and other miscellaneous charges, describing the institution as having “turned the school into a fortress for extortion.”
The unrest, combined with ongoing protests by the Joint Action Congress (JAC) representing the university’s three non-teaching staff unions, made postponement inevitable.
In a circular dated January 26, 2026, the Registrar, Dr Catherine Osai, explained that the decision to delay the ceremony was due to both the JAC protest and the tension surrounding the gown fees and increased school charges.
“This is to inform all staff, students, and the general public that the 24th Matriculation Ceremony of the University of Cross River State, for the 2025/2026 academic session, earlier scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026, in Calabar Campus and Friday, January 30, 2026, in Ogoja and Okuku Campuses, has been postponed indefinitely,” the circular read.
The Registrar added, “This is sequel to the ongoing protest by the Joint Action Congress (JAC), of the three non-teaching Unions of the University.”
“We sincerely regret any inconveniences this postponement may cause to all concerned,” the statement concluded.
