Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic’s Rector, Dr. Okoro, has announced a strict ban on lecturers forcing students to buy specific textbooks, deeming the practice extortionate and unacceptable. This move aims to alleviate the financial burden on students and their families, particularly when the textbooks are pricey, unnecessary, or unrelated to the curriculum.

Dr. Okoro condemned the act, describing it as inappropriate and unacceptable, and revealed that some lecturers have exploited the practice to engage in unethical behaviors, including extortion and “sex for grades,” which he declared will no longer be tolerated. “It is no longer business as usual,” Dr. Okoro stated, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to academic integrity and excellence under his leadership.

To enforce the new directive, Dr. Okoro warned that any lecturer found violating the policy would face immediate dismissal, while students complicit in such schemes would be expelled. “We cannot afford to send unqualified graduates into society without knowledge and academic discipline,” he said, stressing the importance of producing globally competitive graduates.

Dr. Okoro also acknowledged the support of the state governor, who has provided the necessary resources to elevate the institution’s standards. He urged students to focus on their studies and avoid shortcuts, which would attract severe penalties. Addressing the financial strain on parents, the Rector underscored the institution’s resolve to eliminate practices that add undue stress and costs. “Parents are suffering to send their wards to school. There is no reason for lecturers to inflict more financial burden on them,” he said. “This practice has come to an end under my leadership.”

Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic is poised to become a globally competitive institution, with a renewed commitment to excellence and accountability, Dr. Okoro affirmed. The institution is determined to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also academically disciplined, and the new policy is a step towards achieving this goal.