By Cletus Asuquo
The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has attributed the delay in the release of students’ academic results to systemic challenges and the migration of decades-old data from an outdated portal to a new digital system.
The clarification was given on Tuesday by Dr. Anderson Etika, the university’s Director of Exams and Results, during a press briefing in Calabar.
Etika said the delays were not caused by the current administration but were linked to structural issues inherited from previous management.
“When the Vice-Chancellor assumed office on January 26, 2025, she inherited a legacy of inefficiencies in result administration. The university was transitioning from an old result portal to a new one, and migrating decades of data posed significant challenges,” he explained.
He revealed that the university’s records from 2002 had to be carefully handled. “We had over 20 years of academic records, amounting to more than five million data points. Migrating this data is not as simple as moving files. Each course, department, and semester had to be accurately mapped into the new portal to ensure correctness,” Etika said.
According to him, priority was given to students due to graduate soon, with academic sessions from 2017/2018 to 2022/2023 being migrated first. “Graduation cannot wait for a complete data overhaul. Even this limited migration required coordination across 46 departments and multiple courses per semester,” he added.
Etika said the new system has improved result administration significantly. “Students now have real-time access to their results. Once a lecturer uploads results, students can view them instantly, something that was previously impossible. Results can no longer be manipulated without proper authorization. Any update requires approval from the Vice-Chancellor with valid justification,” he said.
He also addressed concerns about additional fees due to delays, assuring students that “no extra payment will be required for session-related delays. Graduation will correspond to the student’s original session. Additional fees only apply if a student personally delays graduation due to failed courses or carryovers.”
The director further revealed that some staff resisted reforms and tried to exploit loopholes in the old system. “Certain lecturers and Heads of Departments attempted to frustrate the process because the new system prevents manipulation of grades. We have suspended some HODs, withheld salaries, and taken other disciplinary measures to ensure compliance,” he said.
Etika explained that careful verification of results was necessary to prevent errors that could affect students’ degrees. “We cannot rush the release of results. Any mistake could mean awarding wrong degrees or confirming incorrect results. The system is designed for transparency and accuracy,” he added.
He noted that only current students’ results were prioritized for migration, while records of former students will be incorporated once the immediate backlog is resolved. The director also cited technological challenges, including software transitions and subscription renewals, as factors contributing to delays.
He assured students and stakeholders of the university’s commitment to improving result administration. “The result portal is a work in progress. We have made significant strides in efficiency, transparency, and accountability. With patience, the backlog will be resolved, and students will receive their results without unnecessary delays,” Etika said.
