University ask Graduands to pay 15K for Gown for Convocation to be held virtually

The management of National Open University of Nigeria through the registrar has announced Her 9th and 10th convocation which is slated for 29th and 30th of January.

The circular from the registrar reads:-

The National Open University of Nigeria is pleased to announce its 9th and 10th Virtual Convocation Ceremony holding on Friday, 29th and Saturday, 30th January 2021 for the information of graduands, their parents/guardians, friends of the University and the general public. Please note that the combined Convocation Ceremony will be held virtually.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS:
Friday, 29th January 2021
Convocation Lecture by : Prof. Olumide Babatope Longe
Chair-Department of Information Systems, American The University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State
Theme: What if we are not Alone?: The Intensification of Surveillance and its Impacts on the Economics of Cybercrimes.
Venue: Virtual
Join the virtual convocation at
https://www.convocation.nouedu2.net
Time : 10.00 a.m.
Saturday, 30th January 2021
i) Award of Bachelor Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master and Doctorate Degrees.
Venue: Virtual
Join the virtual convocation at

https://www.convocation.nouedu2.net
Time : 9.00 a.m.
Information to Graduands
A) All those who have completed their programmes and have been cleared for convocation are to sign for and receive academic gowns and hoods from their respective Study Centres with effect from Monday, 25th January 2021.
They are required to present the following for sighting at the points of collection of the items:
i) Evidence of payment of a fee of Fifteen Thousand (N15,000.00) via remita for the use of Academic gowns and Convocation Register.
ii) A duly completed and authenticated clearance form issued at the Study Centre.

In what seems to be a shocker to the students is the 15thousand to be paid for gown in a convocation to be held virtually.
Is this an extortion or the decision will be change by the management? The students wait to see what will happen.