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WAEC results row deepens as police invite official

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The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has invited a staff member of the West African Examinations Council, Olanrewaju Fadehan, to appear in Abuja on Wednesday over an alleged case of cyberstalking and criminal defamation.

This comes as the Lagos State High Court restrained Fadehan from publishing or circulating alleged defamatory statements concerning the examination body and its Director-General, Dr Amos Dangut.

The police invitation, signed by the Director of the NPF-NCCC, AIG Akaninyene Ezima, directed Fadehan to report to the centre in Abuja at 10 am on Wednesday for an interview over an alleged case of cyberstalking and criminal defamation.

Reacting to the developments, Fadehan said he had received the court papers and was aware of the injunction.

“They’ve even done that already. At least, they sent me a court paper yesterday (Monday). That one is an interim injunction that I should not post anything any longer,” he said.

On the police invitation, he added, “They’re taking me to the cybercrime centre in Abuja. Tomorrow (Wednesday), I’m supposed to appear before them.”

On Monday, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, in an interim order made in Suit No. LD/ADR/6656/2026, restrained Fadehan from “publishing, broadcasting, circulating or disseminating” any “defamatory, maligning and/or injurious falsehood” concerning WAEC, its examinations, results and certificates, or Dangut’s “character and/or integrity.”

The order covers publications in video, audio, written or other formats on any platform, including YouTube and WhatsApp. It is to “abate after seven (7) days” unless renewed by the court.

WAEC and Dangut are seeking N500m general damages for libel, N300m aggravated and exemplary damages and N25m costs, totalling N825m.

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They are also seeking an order compelling Fadehan to retract the alleged defamatory publications, issue a public apology and permanently remove them from all platforms.

Fadehan, who is Head of Examinations at WAEC’s office covering Anambra, had, in viral videos, called for a review of the recently released 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination results, citing alleged irregularities.

He also made allegations of financial impropriety against the council’s management, including issues concerning the supply of calculators, students’ identification cards and charges imposed on candidates and other service seekers.

Fadehan further alleged that some candidates were not provided with appropriate calculators during the examination, claiming that this contributed to poor performance in Mathematics and other calculation-based subjects.

He subsequently petitioned the WAEC Board, the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examining Bodies and the Minister of Education, alleging that rather than addressing his complaints, the council subjected him to disciplinary proceedings and placed him on interdiction.

In a separate correspondence to Fadehan, WAEC’s lawyers, Union Attorneys, alleged that he published a series of videos attacking the council and Dangut.

The lawyers referred to publications titled, among others, “Tyranny in WAEC, Nigeria: Dangut must go,” “WAEC: My alleged offence and the overbearing sanctions,” “WAEC’s MND: Petition to ASF, National Assembly and Minister for Education plus appeal,” and “Anomalies in WAEC – Series 1: I won’t wait.”

They further alleged that Fadehan later published another video titled “Dangut is a thief,” describing the publications as containing “inaccurate information and reckless statements.”

The lawyers said the publications continued despite a cease-and-desist letter dated August 24, 2026.

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In its response to the viral videos, WAEC, through its spokesperson, Moyosola Adesina, accused Fadehan of spreading falsehoods and sensational materials to spite the council.

The council alleged that Fadehan was involved with some staff in the misappropriation and attempted cover-up of hundreds of litres of diesel from its underground tank at the Awka office.

WAEC said Fadehan, following a four-week suspension, began making unsubstantiated allegations against the council under the guise of whistleblowing.

“It is important to also note that Mr Fadehan is still a staff member of the council and his employment has not been determined.

“He has published that his employment has been determined while continuing to earn salaries from the council. His allegations have been investigated at various levels and found to be false. He has been spreading falsehoods and sensational materials to spite the council,” WAEC stated.

However, speaking with The PUNCH on Tuesday, Fadehan disputed the allegations arising from the fuel shortage controversy, saying an internal panel found that nobody stole fuel and that the shortage resulted from leakage.

“The panel resolved that nobody stole anything,” he said.

Fadehan said the fuel controversy was separate from the matter for which he was currently on interdiction, insisting that the latter arose from allegations of defamation.

“So, it was based on the issue of defamation now that I was put on interdiction. It has nothing to do with fuel.

“The fuel issue is gone. The issue of fuel is being brought up when I raised the issue of a calculator that was not given to the candidate. He now set up a panel for me. The same Dangut set up a panel for me, and the query of that panel reads that I defamed him,” he said.

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He denied being bitter over the sanctions imposed on him by WAEC, saying he had appealed against them.

“I’m not bitter. I’ve appealed what they did. So I’m not bitter,” he said.

The PUNCH reports that Fadehan made allegations against the examination body in a now viral video, claiming that candidates who sat the computer-based version of the examination were particularly affected.

Fadehan alleged that the problems were noticeable around the release of the results, which he said was initially expected to be announced between August 3 and 5, 2026, adding that WAEC had traditionally released results on Mondays.

He further alleged that rather than addressing his complaints, he was subjected to disciplinary proceedings and subsequently placed on interdiction.

Source: punchng.com

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Education

Student loans voluntary, not compulsory for tertiary students — NELFUND

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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has said that accessing student loans is voluntary, urging tertiary institution students to apply only when they genuinely need financial assistance to pursue their education.

The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Strategic Communications, NELFUND, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, in Abuja on Wednesday.

The fund explained that the student loan scheme was established to remove, “financial barriers to higher education and ensure that eligible Nigerian students were not denied educational opportunities because of financial constraints.”

It stressed that students who could afford their educational expenses were under no obligation to apply for or access the facility.

NELFUND said making the loans compulsory for all students, irrespective of their financial circumstances, would contradict the purpose of the scheme, which is to support those who need financial assistance rather than encourage indiscriminate borrowing.

“The student loan scheme is a support mechanism, not an obligation,” the fund stated.

It urged tertiary institutions, student leaders and other stakeholders to provide accurate information about the scheme and guide students who require financial support on how to access it.

The fund added that the facility was interest-free and intended to help beneficiaries overcome financial difficulties associated with pursuing higher education.

However, it cautioned prospective applicants that the loans came with repayment obligations in line with the provisions of the Student Loans Act, advising students to understand the terms and conditions before applying.

NELFUND maintained that its objective was to ensure that financial hardship did not prevent eligible Nigerian students from pursuing their educational aspirations.

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The scheme is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand access to tertiary education by providing financial assistance to students who may struggle to meet the costs of their studies.

While the interest-free arrangement reduces the cost of borrowing, the fund’s latest clarification underscores the importance of ensuring that students understand that the facility is optional and that beneficiaries are expected to fulfil the applicable repayment requirements.

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83 bag first-class degrees as 1,043 graduate from JABU

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No fewer than 83 students of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, will graduate with first-class honours among the 1,043 students expected to receive degrees at the institution’s convocation on Friday.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Olasebikan Fakolujo, disclosed this on Monday while speaking on activities lined up for the institution’s 17th convocation and 20th anniversary.

According to him, 146 students will also receive postgraduate degrees and qualifications.

Giving a breakdown of the graduating students, Fakolujo said, “At this year’s convocation, Joseph Ayo Babalola University will present 1,043 graduates. Of these, 897 are first-degree graduates, while 146 are postgraduate graduates.

“Among the 897 first-degree graduates, 83 will receive first-class honours, 429 will receive second-class honours (upper division), 301 will receive second-class honours (lower division), 74 will receive third-class honours, and 10 will receive pass degrees.

“At the postgraduate level, we have 146 students, including 22 PhDs, 94 academic master’s degrees, 27 MBAs and three postgraduate diplomas.”

The vice-chancellor also disclosed that the university, which began operations with 246 students in February 2007, had awarded more than 10,000 undergraduate degrees.

“From a pioneer matriculating class of just 246 students in February 2007, JABU has, over its 20 years of operation, awarded 10,448 undergraduate degrees. Of these, 426 graduated with first-class honours, 3,730 with second-class honours, upper division, 4,928 with second-class honours, lower division, 1,336 with third-class honours, and 28 with pass degrees.

“In addition, the university has awarded more than 800 postgraduate degrees and qualifications, contributing to the development of advanced professional expertise, scholarship, research and leadership. But these are not merely numbers in our academic records; they represent 10,448 undergraduate journeys,” the vice-chancellor stated.

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Fakolujo said the university’s graduates were excelling in various fields, including business, research, academia, public service, technology and finance.

He cited the performance of the institution’s Medical Laboratory Science and Nursing Science students in professional examinations as evidence of their academic preparedness.

“Internal results matter, but an important test is what happens when students are assessed beyond the university. Our Medical Laboratory Science students recorded 100 per cent success in their 2026 professional examinations, for the third consecutive year.

“Our Nursing Science students also recorded 100 per cent success in their 2026 registered midwife professional examination. Our law graduates continue to distinguish themselves at the Nigerian Law School,” he said.

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UNILORIN graduates 16,152 students at 41st convocation ceremony

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The University of Ilorin will confer degrees and other academic qualifications on 16,152 graduands at its 41st convocation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session, with 365 students graduating with first-class honours.

The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), announced the figures on Monday during a press briefing ahead of the ceremony, which will run from Wednesday, October 21, to Friday, October 23.

According to Egbewole, 11,213 students will receive first degrees, including 4,367 second-class upper division graduates, 5,102 second-class lower division graduates, 1,006 third-class graduates and 30 pass-degree recipients.

He said the graduating class also included students from several professional programmes, with 19 in Medicine and Surgery, 89 in Nursing, 73 in Pharmacy, 41 in Optometry, 89 in Physiotherapy and 32 in Veterinary Medicine.

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that “4,939 graduands would receive higher degrees and diplomas, comprising 160 postgraduate diploma recipients, 901 master’s degree graduates, 114 professional master’s degree recipients, two Master of Philosophy graduates and 251 doctorate degree recipients”.

Another 3,511 students, he said, would graduate through the university’s Centre for Affiliated Institutions.

In a separate programme, Egbewole said 8,320 students had completed the university’s U-INSPIRE initiative, which equips participants with 21st-century skills in addition to their primary qualifications through partnerships with 10 industry partners.

He described the figures as evidence of the university’s commitment to academic excellence, professional training, research, innovation and the development of skilled graduates for national and global development.

Reflecting on his administration, Egbewole said the convocation provided an opportunity to assess the institution’s progress since he assumed office on October 16, 2022, and consider the legacy being prepared for the next vice-chancellor.

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“When I assumed office as Vice-Chancellor on 16 October 2022, my first convocation ceremony was for both the 37th and 38th. I came into office with a clear commitment: to build on the strong foundations laid by my predecessors, preserve the University’s defining strengths, and move the institution forward with renewed ambition,” he said.

“Four years on, as we prepare for the 41st Convocation, I do so with gratitude to Almighty Allah and a deep sense of fulfilment. This is not simply a review of activities; it is an account of steady, substantial progress and of the institutional capacity, opportunities, and responsibilities we will bequeath to the next Vice-Chancellor, as a legacy,” he added.

The Vice-Chancellor said the university had maintained its tradition of stability, academic excellence and peace while making improvements in digital infrastructure, staff and student welfare, research, teaching and learning, campus facilities and external partnerships.

He added that the institution’s development strategy remained anchored on its Vision 1:10:500 ambition of becoming Nigeria’s number one university, ranking among Africa’s top 10 and securing a place among the world’s top 500 universities.

“The 41st Convocation is therefore both a celebration and a moment of reflection. It gives us an opportunity to recognise what we have accomplished, acknowledge the people whose work made it possible, and identify the foundations on which we can build the next phase of progress,” Egbewole said.

On the ceremony’s activities, the Vice-Chancellor announced that the convocation lecture, titled From Lecture Hall to Cabinet Room: The Journey from Academia to Public Leadership, would be delivered by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, on Friday, October 23, at 9am.

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He disclosed that the university would stage its convocation opera, The Death of the Crown’s Escort, at the Performing and Film Arts Theatre on Tuesday, October 20, with performances scheduled for 4 pm and 6 pm.

According to him, graduands from four-year programmes would receive their degrees on Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, October 22, while those from five-year and six-year programmes would be presented for their degrees on Friday, October 23.

Egbewole further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu, the university’s Visitor, was expected to commission completed projects on the campus at 2.30 pm on Friday.

The day’s programme would also include a convocation luncheon and merit awards for deserving members of staff at the university’s Multipurpose Hall at 4.30 pm.

The activities, which commenced with a special Jumat service on Friday, October 16, and an interdenominational church service on Sunday, October 18, will end with a thanksgiving service at St Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy on Sunday, October 25.

Source: punchng.com

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