By Umar Faruq and Nasiru Ibrahim | Posted: June 18, 2024
A stealthy catastrophe is developing in the quiet, sun-drenched corridors of the Federal University of Lokoja (FUL). Some groups of dedicated students who have spent years striving for academic excellence, find themselves trapped in an agonizing limbo. Their hard-earned results, a testament to countless sleepless nights and unwavering perseverance, have been inexplicably withheld by the very institution entrusted with their futures.
Graduating in October 2023, these students should be preparing for the next chapter of their lives, embarking on their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) journey. Instead, they are left grappling with uncertainty, unable to prove their academic achievements or plan their careers. The administration’s silence and evasiveness have only deepened their despair, revealing a shocking lack of accountability and concern for the student’s welfare.
The withheld results are not just numbers on paper; they are the keys to a future that now seems heartbreakingly out of reach. This investigation seeks to uncover the reasons behind this unjust delay, shining a light on the institutional failures and possible corruption that have turned the students’ celebration of success into a nightmare of indefinite waiting.
FULokoja Students in Desperate Limbo
Students of the Federal University of Lokoja (FULokoja) are currently embroiled in a deeply troubling situation that has left them in a state of despair and uncertainty. On June 11, 2024, a group of students reached out to Forsige after months of waiting in vain for their school to release their reports. “It’s been close to a year, and our school cannot provide our results,” they said.
“The school is not telling us the truth about when they will release them. They told us a supplementary list would be out; we waited and waited, and when the supplementary list came, our names were not included. We can’t go for NYSC. Our parents no longer trust our words; they think we have carryovers and failed. We can’t defend ourselves after close to a year since they celebrated our graduation. We can’t give them our results to prove it. It gets worse when our mates have gone for NYSC, and we can’t. We are now pressured at home; we can’t rest anymore, and the school is not responding to us. We don’t know what to do.”
the Students.
Since October 2023, their academic results have been withheld by the school authority for reasons that remain shrouded in mystery. The affected students, who completed their studies in October 2023, have found themselves unable to register for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), a mandatory one-year service program crucial for their career progression. This delay has not only stunted their professional growth but also left them in a frustrating limbo, unable to confirm their graduation status to their families and potential employers.
One student expressed their exasperation, saying, “We’ve been left in the dark. After six years of study, delayed by the prolonged ASUU strikes, we still can’t move forward with our lives. This is not just an academic issue; it’s a betrayal of our future.”
Unanswered Queries and Evasive Authorities
In an effort to understand the cause of this delay, Forsige reporters reached out to key figures within the university administration. Mr. Nasuk Lapang, the school’s Exam Officer, and Dr. Peter Okpeh, the Head of the English Department, both declined to comment, citing confidential details. Instead, they requested that reporters visit their offices for further discussion—a move perceived by many as an attempt to sidestep public accountability.
Attempts to reach the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, were equally unproductive, as he failed to respond to multiple calls. However, the reporters sensed something amiss. It seemed that the university officials were coordinating their responses as if he had been forewarned about our inquiries by those we have contacted.
Allegations of Corruption and Misconduct
The withholding of results appears to be part of a larger, more insidious issue. Students and anonymous sources within the university have pointed to a toxic mix of corruption, power struggles, and unethical practices.
A significant number of students believe that the delay is a coordinated effort to punish them for unknown reasons. They report that those with academic deficiencies or carryovers have already been informed and registered to retake their courses, while those without such issues remain inexplicably affected.
The Power Struggle Hypothesis
An anonymous source within the university suggested that a power struggle between the former Head of Department (HOD) of the English Department and the incumbent Head of Department (HOD) might be at the heart of the problem. This internal conflict, according to the source, has led to a bureaucratic gridlock that has complicated the approval process for the students’ results.
“The power tussle has turned into a vendetta, with students caught in the crossfire,” the source said. “This is not just about delayed results; it’s about a deep-seated power play that is undermining the integrity of the institution.”
Corruption and Sex-for-Marks Scandal
Further allegations include rampant corruption and sexual misconduct within the school. Several students reported instances of “sex for marks” and bribery, where ineligible students were cleared to graduate while others were left waiting. One lecturer was reportedly caught in such practices, yet the university management has failed to take decisive action against him.
“The corruption is pervasive,” one student revealed. “Ineligible students are graduating because they can afford to bribe or succumb to the unethical demands of certain lecturers. This has created a toxic environment where merit is secondary to money and exploitation.”
Personal Impact and Trauma
The personal toll on the affected students is immense. One female student recounted her ordeal, highlighting the emotional and psychological trauma she has endured. “Who will believe I’ve graduated? I finished in October 2023, and up till now, I can’t show any proof. My family, who have been looking forward to my NYSC service, are beginning to lose faith in the system and me.”
Another student lamented the continuous false promises from the university officials. “We’re tired of waiting for the supplementary lists promised by the school. Every time we inquire, we are given the same empty reassurances.”
A Call for Transparency and Accountability
The ongoing delay in the release of results for FULokoja students underscores a significant failure within the university’s administrative processes. The allegations of corruption, power struggles, and unethical practices point to a deeply entrenched problem that requires urgent attention.
This investigative report calls on the university management to prioritize the welfare of its students. Transparency and accountability are paramount in resolving this issue. The student’s future and the credibility of the institution are at stake.
As the affected students continue to wait for their results, their frustration grows. The lack of transparency and accountability from the university administration has only deepened the crisis. The university must act swiftly to release the results and address the underlying issues of corruption and misconduct that have plagued this institution. The future of these young Nigerians depends on it.