UYO, NIGERIA – The Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic has raised concerns over a growing backlog of unclaimed certificates, some dating as far back as 1995, according to a statement from the Registrar’s office shared on social media.
Acting Registrar Mr. Godswill E. Udofah described the situation as “unwholesome” and urged graduates who have completed their programmes and clearance to retrieve their certificates without delay.
“It’s disturbing that many graduates leave without collecting their certificates, despite completing all requirements,” Udofah stated. “We’re appealing to them to come forward immediately.”
The institution warned that a ₦20,000 annual custody fee would apply to those who fail to collect their certificates within three months of the notice, aiming to address administrative burden and storage constraints.
Experts say unemployment, relocation, poor recordkeeping, and lack of awareness often contribute to the trend of abandoned certificates in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
A former student, Emmanuel Akpan, said, “After graduation, I moved to Lagos and didn’t see the need to return for my certificate because I was self-employed.” He admitted that retrieving it now would be costly.
Another graduate, Grace Udom, noted that some graduates wrongly assume that their statement of result is sufficient. “I thought the statement was all I needed until I was denied a job abroad,” she said.
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Administrators say the implications extend beyond logistics. “The credibility of the institution suffers when its alumni don’t value the certification it offers,” a senior official, who preferred anonymity, remarked.
The Polytechnic called on friends, families, and acquaintances of affected graduates to notify them about the urgent need to claim their certificates.
“This is about restoring order and ensuring graduates are equipped with all documents needed for career and academic advancement,” Udofah added.
The notice was published online and has since generated public debate on the role of institutions in follow-up communication with graduates after convocation.
Education analysts have called for better graduate tracking systems and digital notifications to reduce certificate abandonment across Nigeria’s higher institutions.
Graduates are advised to act promptly or face long-term consequences, including additional financial penalties and lost opportunities.
