On Friday, a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, citing allegations of disloyalty to the party.

The faction, which aligns itself with the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, issued a statement on Friday announcing the suspension of both leaders from their positions.

However, the legal landscape shifted on the same day when Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Umar Damagum remains the legitimate National Chairman of the PDP.

The court emphasized that Damagum could only be removed through a national convention, reinforcing his position amid the factional dispute.

The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024, filed by Senator Umar Maina against the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT), among others.

Compounding the situation, a national officer of the party revealed in an interview with ThisDay that one of the key allegations against Damagum involves claims of abuse of office.

Specifically, he is accused of exceeding his financial limits by donating significant funds to flood victims in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The source said, “The financial approval limits of the office of the acting national chairman was N10million, but when the acting national chairman went to Borno State to commiserate with the flood victims, he announced the donation of N35million without getting the necessary approval to do that by the NWC of the party.”

The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has stated that prices of eggs may increase to ₦10,000 per crate.

The Association warned that this would be the case if steps are not taken to address the hike in the cost of fuel in the country.

They attributed the rising cost of the protein to the high cost of transportation and the indiscriminate increase in feed prices by the millers.

The Secretary of PAN, FCT Chapter, Musa Hakeem, said this at a press briefing to commemorate World Egg Day on Saturday in Abuja.

Hakeem stated that the Federal Government, as a matter of urgency, must declare an emergency on Egg production in the country given the serious decline in protein intake, saying Nigerians can not afford to depend on the importation of eggs.

He pointed out, “If we should go by the proportional increase in the prices of these factors mentioned earlier, we will be buying eggs at N10,000 per create, but because we wanted to be compassionate, coupled with the important of eggs for health, we left the price at the current price of N5,500.”

Hakeem warned that the protein prices may soon change to ₦6000, going by the increasing poultry feed prices.

He said, “To the best of my knowledge, the last time we received any grains intervention from the government was three years ago saying other respite by the government to cushion the high prices of food are only read on the pages of the newspaper.”

He called on the government to ensure that they carry PAN along in their intervention activities as they have the data of all the poultry farmers in the FCT.

He lamented that the government is not paying the required attention to the poultry subsector as it has been neglected over time, saying business owners have been operating in their own volition and hoped the industry does not crash.

THE leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), National Assembly Chapter, has denied allegations of misappropriating N3 billion union funds leveled against it.

The Chairman of PASAN, Comrade Sunday Sabiyyi, in a statement jointly signed by the secretary of the association Comrade David Ann Ebizimoh weekend in Abuja, described the allegation as baseless, frivolous, and defamatory.

Sabiyyi called on members of the union and the general public to disregard what he described as “unfounded blackmail intended to distract the union from pursuing its mandate coherently to the letter.”

Recall that a member of PASAN, Yusuf Abiola, had at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, accused the union executive of misappropriating the sum, just as he demanded audited financial statements and operational reports from 2019 till date from the executive.

Responding to the allegation, Comrade Sunday Sabiyyi in a statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to recent defamatory publication of financial mismanagement and others.

“The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, National Assembly Chapter wishes to put the records straight and debunk the libelous allegations that the Executive of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) NASS Chapter under the leadership of Comrade Sunday Sabiyyi regarding our Association’s financial management, leadership style, and the call for reform.

“Firstly, to set the records straight, let me address the alleged financial mismanagement and lack of accountability raised against the Executive Council.

“We want to assure the general public that the NASS Executive Council of PASAN has always been transparent and accountable in managing the Association’s finances.

“We have followed all the constitutional procedures and protocols to ensure that funds are used appropriately and for the benefit of all members.

“We have also maintained accurate records of all financial transactions and we are open to any inquiries or audits that may be required at any time.

“Clearly the check off dues and any other purported source of funds as alleged by the detractors to the tune of three (3) billion Naira cannot be generated by the 36 State Chapters and FCT Zone of PASAN which includes NASS and National Assembly Service Commission Chapters joined together.

“Thus, it is unreasonable, mischievous and ludicrous to imagine that NASS Chapter of the Union expended such magnitude of money; a figment of the imagination of our detractors.

“The Union calls on every well-meaning member of the PASAN and general public to disregard such unfounded blackmail intended to distract the union from pursuing its mandate coherently to the letter.”

The union described those peddling the allegation as sore losers who contested for executive positions but were defeated by their opponent during the elections that ushered in the present executive of the union.

The union said, “We understand the concerns of our members, we believe that the current leadership is committed to addressing pending issues and determined to implement the necessary reforms.

“We have always been opened to feedback and suggestions from our members and have always been willing to make changes for the betterment of the association.”

Activist and social critic, VeryDarkMan has announced receiving ₦21,620,780 just 24 hours after launching his NGO.

In a video circulating on social media, the Nigerian activist provided a detailed statement, expressing gratitude for the swift response to his call for support.

Upon launching the NGO, VeryDarkMan encouraged Nigerians to contribute towards his goal of overhauling the public education system with innovative solutions.

Just a day after his appeal, he confirmed the receipt of ₦21,620,780, which will help kickstart his projects.

He emphasised his commitment to transparency, pledging to expose NGOs that misuse public funds for personal gain.

VeryDarkMan also criticised the lack of accountability within many Nigerian NGOs, stating that donations are often diverted for personal enrichment.

He vowed to stand apart by making all expenditures public, setting a new benchmark for integrity and transparency in NGO operations.

Part of his statement reads: “It’s barely 24 hours since I announced my NGO, and if I tell you how much is in that account now, you won’t believe it. First of all, shout out to everyone who sent money. I saw love and support from amounts like ₦72, ₦100, ₦22, ₦500. Most of the money was from small donations—₦500, ₦300, ₦200. Even people who didn’t have much still wanted to support.”

“The biggest amounts were ₦2 million and ₦1 million. But honestly, it’s the smaller amounts that make up the majority. I got one donation with a note saying ‘I love you because you’re crazy,’ and it was just ₦100. That’s love.”

“These contributions have opened my eyes to how many NGOs are scamming people in this country. Many of them are not using the money they receive for the right purposes. But with my NGO, I’ll make sure to expose them by being fully transparent. If I spend ₦10, I’ll let the public know. This will pressure other NGOs to start doing the same.” 

VeryDarkMan emphasised that his project is focused on improving public education in Nigeria. 

He pointed out that public schools lack young and innovative teachers, and that his plan is to bring in new teaching methods and resources, including technology like projectors, to enhance learning.

“The educational sector, especially in public schools, is failing. There’s nothing exciting about it anymore. We need to bring in young teachers who students can look up to, and we need to introduce modern teaching methods. Education should advance with the times,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of equipping students with practical skills, saying, “Not everyone needs to follow the traditional academic route. We should introduce vocational training early so that students can start thinking about their future careers from primary school. We need to bring back cultural events and other activities that make education fun.”

Some Lagos residents have expressed concerns over the proposed move by the state government to ban single-use plastics (SUPs) and sachet water saying that it will lead to loss of jobs and disrupt economic activities.

The residents in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday appealed to the state government to have a rethink over the proposed ban. 

NAN reports that Mr Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, during a stakeholders’ workshop recently announced plans to ban SUPs and sachet water by January 2025.

Wahab said the policy is designed to establish sustainable guidelines for managing plastic waste while protecting public health and the environment.

He noted that styrofoam and single-use plastics take centuries to degrade, making the ban essential for environmental protection.

Wahab said the Lagos State Government was working closely with the private sector organisations to provide alternatives for styrofoam containers and other SUPs, while supporting research into new technological solutions.

NAN, however,  reports that the proposed ban  has sent shockwaves to the manufacturing and retail sectors, sparking fears of job losses, economic disruption, and uncertainty among stakeholders.

The ban has also raised concerns among water vendors who rely heavily on sachet water for their livelihood.

A Lagos resident and Sales Manager, Aremson Water Ltd., Ojo First Gate, Mr Akinyemi Bolaji, told NAN that the ban would make a lot of people unemployed.

“I am more particular about employment. The ban will not favour anyone, and it will make thousands of people lose their source of livelihood.

“On the other hand, what is the reason for the ban? People are consuming it on a daily basis, so is there any way the government is putting it out to give people clean water?

“There should be other alternatives to curb the whole recycling issue,” he said.

While commending the government for the initiative, he, however, appealed for a better alternative to ensure the ban won’t affect the jobs of people in the water business.

“The government should help in educating the people on proper disposal properly as it’s written on the body of the plastic.

“Eradicating all these factories that produce the SUPs is not the best way. It’s a solution in one aspect and hazardous in another,” he said.

He advised the government to put a bin on every bus stop and house so as to curb the problem of single-use plastic blocking the drainage.

A retail water seller, Mrs Vera Osiyemi, told NAN that sachet water had been the best way of curbing cholera.

“I don’t think it is going to be possible. This is what everyone consumes. If the government bans it, does it mean we are going back to our old way of selling iced water?”

“The solution is to create an awareness, educate the people on how to dispose it properly and provide bins. Just like we had in the old days, it was in every house,” Osiyemi said.

Another seller, Mrs Afusat Ajibola, told NAN that the ban might not be possible because the main idea was to get clean water.

“So, if the government eventually bans it, it will result in a serious cholera outbreak.

“It is not possible. The government can ban it, but it cannot work. There is no way we are going back to selling iced water,” she said.

She added that the government might have a way of controlling those that consume it.

“It is to provide for bins and continue to keep Lagos clean,” she said.

Another retailer, Miss Joy Okafor, said she was not aware of the proposed ban.

“Even if there would be a ban, we should understand that it’s not just the single use and sachet nylon water that block the drainage.

“There are other causes like disposables as well.

“Government knows what is best, but in this case, it is not possible. Will they provide clean pipe borne water for streets and houses?

“What will be the next step of the government? The only thing I’m seeing is more of unemployment, because people sell it to make ends meet,” she said.

She said the government should look for a means to curb the problem at disposing it and not banning it.

Mr Chinedu Eze, a water distributor, said he was uncertain about what would happen next after the ban.

“I have been in the business for years. Now, I’m uncertain about the future. This isn’t just about access to water, it’s about the survival for thousands of us,” he said.

Another Lagos resident simply identified as Mummy Boma , a street vendor, told NAN that the proposed ban would affect her livelihood.

“Selling pure water helps me feed my children and send them to school. Bottled water is too expensive to buy or sell in bulk.

“The government should rather enforce stricter regulations on sachet water producers to ensure better quality control and hygiene standards,” she said.

A resident and medical doctor, Dr Olufemi Adeyemi, told NAN that Lagosians could lose access to potable and affordable water due to the ban.

“Though some sachet water contain contaminated water due to lack of regulation, however, the government needs to provide alternative safe water sources before any ban is enforced.

“Without proper preparation, banning ‘pure water’ could leave millions of Nigerians without a reliable and affordable water option.

“Instead of an outright ban, the government could invest in public water systems to ensure a reliable supply of clean water in both urban and rural areas,” he said.

He added that this would reduce the population’s dependence on sachet water.

Prof. Sani Abubakar Lugga, the 5th Wazirin Katsina, has called on the northern region to unite and prepare for self-determination, much like their southern counterparts.

Speaking at a community engagement event organized by the Coalition of Northern Group (CNG) in Katsina, Lugga stressed the need for northerners to brace themselves for the possibility of separation from Nigeria, reflecting on the persistent calls for secession from the South.

Lugga lamented the lack of unity among northerners in defending their rights, contrasting it with the determination of groups like the Biafrans.

He urged the North to learn from the proactive measures taken by southern states, particularly in addressing security challenges. He noted that while the security situation in the South is less severe, they have formed regional security forces like Amotekun, while the North remains passive.

Referencing historical concerns, Lugga highlighted the apprehension of early Nigerian leaders about the amalgamation of the North and South, a union that, he argued, remains fragile. He warned that without preparation, the North could struggle to survive should the South succeed in breaking away.

CNG’s National Coordinator, Jamilu Charanchi, also emphasized the urgency of community-led actions to address Nigeria’s socioeconomic and security challenges. He criticized the country’s leadership for prioritizing elections over the nation’s future and urged communities to take charge of their destinies through collective action.

The Emir of Zazzau, Nuhu Bamali, has urged Nigerians to stop generalizing and blaming the entire Fulani ethnic group for acts of banditry, killings, and abductions.

He emphasized that such behavior is against the core values and culture of the Fulani people, cautioning that the misdeeds of a few “bad eggs” should not be used to label the whole tribe.

Speaking at a cultural event organized by the Fulani Development and Cultural Organisation (FUDECO) on October 12, Bamali addressed accusations linking Fulani herdsmen to violent activities.

He highlighted that Fulani tradition encourages peace, stating that a true Fulani man carries only a stick and a cutlass to care for his animals—not weapons like AK-47s.

“Carrying an AK-47 is not part of the core values of a Fulani man. A Fulani man is expected to carry his stick and cutlass to cut grass for his animals, but definitely not an AK-47, nor to kill or maim people,” the Emir said.

Bamali also spoke proudly of the Fulani’s contributions to education, asserting that they are among the best educated in the country. “Fulanis are very enlightened people, very well educated. The best educated people in this country, I believe, are the Fulanis; I am not being biased,” he stated.

He encouraged the Fulani to continue upholding their cultural values and remain proud of their heritage. “I am very, very proud to be a Fulani man. All my ancestors, left and right, were Fulanis. So there is no way I will not be proud of my heritage, my culture, and everything,” Bamali said.

The Emir stressed that events like the FUDECO forum, which gathered participants from across Nigeria and neighboring countries, were vital in correcting misconceptions about the Fulani people and promoting their true identity. He expressed hope that these discussions would help put an end to the negative stereotypes surrounding the community.

“Our prayer is that all the nonsense going on about banditry and other things would stop. The bad eggs we have in every tribe in this country need to stop that rascality,” Bamali added.

The Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho has reportedly submitted a petition to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer to consider the secessionist movement in Nigeria.

According to SaharaReporters, The Yoruba Nation movement described the content of the petition as confidential, but sources claimed it revolved around the “Yoruba Nation agitation.”

Sunday Igboho submitted the petition on Saturday on behalf of Prof Adebanji Akintoye, the leader of the Yoruba Nation movement.

SaharaReporters reported that other dignitaries who accompanied Igboho were; Diaspora Youth Leader, Prophet Ologunoluwa, Vice President of Ifeladun Apapo, Fatai Ogunribido, General Secretary of Yoruba World Media, Alhaja Adeyeye, and Member of Yoruba Nation Movement, Paul Odebiyi.

The movement is seeking the immediate intervention of the UK prime minister and his government on their agitation to set up a country that will be predominantly owned by the indigenous people of Yoruba.

Multiple reports claimed that Yoruba historian and arrowhead of the struggle for the independence of the Oodua nation, Banji Akintoye had earlier accused the Nigerian government of trying to cajole agitator, Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) to withdraw from the agitations.

A former member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Charles Idahosa, has said that the inability of Governor Godwin Obaseki to manage people and his “high level” of ingratitude cost the PDP the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

Speaking to Sunday Vanguard in Benin, Idahosa also dispelled the allegation that the election was rigged just as he alleged that a section of the media was for Obaseki and did not see anything wrong in his style of administration.

According to him, “It is rather unfortunate about the feelings of the PDP on the election not being free and fair. As far as I am concerned, the election was very free and very fair.

“I gave an interview days before the election and I did say that Godwin Obaseki was getting frustrated and threatening here and there and I made it quite clear that it has dawned on him that this is the first time he is going for an election on his own.

“In the first election, we were with him and when he fell out with the APC and crossed to the PDP, a chunk of members of the APC went with him and when he got to the PDP, he did exactly what he was good at doing; he abandoned every person and started messing up again in the new party which is the PDP to the extent that the party was broken into two which became the Legacy PDP and the New PDP.”

On the decision to challenge the outcome of the election in court, Idahosa said “What is happening now is that they are just looking for reasons but I want to remind them that going to court is part of the electoral process. Obaseki was taken to court twice; when he won the election in 2016, the case got to the Supreme Court. When he won again in 2020, the case got to the Supreme Court so there is nothing wrong with going to the court. I feel sorry for the person who got the collateral damage. “

He said the signs were there that the PDP was not going to win the election. “Here was a man that deprived 14 elected lawmakers of being sworn in, we are talking of 14 constituencies out of 24 and you think their constituents and their relations and their friends will clap for you.

“Here is a man, NJC (National Judicial Commission) cleared eight judges and you sat down in your office and cancelled three. All the leaders that worked for him, he drove them away.

“PDP leaders came to Benin for a rally, he knows the tradition but instead of taking them to visit the Oba of Benin, he took them to a private residence whereas when the Vice President came with the APC candidate, he visited the Oba of Benin and this was few days to the election. “

How did he expect to win the election with all these controversies surrounding him? There was nobody that he did not deal with.”

•Paid twice, yet no document – Victim
•My admission hanging — NCE holder •Job opportunities lost
•What institutions charge: UNILAG — N25, 000, OOU – N25, 000, OAU —N37, 000
•Some graduates give wrong addresses — Schools

Sometime in June 2023, a message was sent to a top editor in a top Nigerian daily newspaper by the daughter of a late renowned columnist. It read, “I believe you will know someone in LASU, I need my transcript urgently or I will lose a job. I paid since 7th May and have heard nothing.”

The sender of the message, Olusola, (surname withheld), graduated from the Lagos State University, LASU, in 1988 with a B.ED Islamic Studies, degree and later relocated to the United Kingdom, UK.

She had to make an urgent plea to the said editor, where her father was a columnist, as she needed to send her academic transcript to the portal of a recruitment agency in the UK, where she hoped to set her career on another path.

She ended up paying twice and the Editor and his team had to pile some pressure on the university over the matter.

Olusola was lucky because LASU has digitised such processes, if not, her year of graduation, 1988, would have meant having to manually search for her document and it might have been lost.

While many young Nigerians are moving in droves to live, work or study abroad, the dreams of some doing so are being truncated because of their inability to get their academic transcripts forwarded to their new schools or employers by their former Nigerian schools.

Checks by Vanguard showed that many of the nation’s tertiary institutions are many years behind in discharging this simple, but important function.

A transcript is a certified record (inventory) of a student throughout study having full enrollment history including all courses (or subjects) attempted, grades earned and degrees and awards conferred.

The creation of the Electronic Transcripts and Documents Exchange in Nigeria (ETX-NG) in 2013 by ETX Solutions Nigeria Limited in partnership with universities for smooth transfer of transcripts to institutions and organisations that require them, has not helped the situation.

Transcripts are required for scholarships, fellowships, promotions in workplaces, appointments, and admissions purposes among others.

Costs

The cost varies from one school to the other and it also depends on the location it is being sent to.
The average is between N25,000 and N70,000. For instance, the University of Lagos charges N25, 000, the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State charges N37, 000 and the University of Ilorin, Kwara State charges N40, 000.

Once payment is made, the Exam and Records Department in the school is expected to begin work on the demand by fishing out the details, type and send to the required address. Some schools, like LASU and UNILAG have modalities for tracking the movement of the document on its way to the address it is sent.
However, findings by Vanguard show that if one relies on the staff involved doing the needful without being pushed, it may take a long time.

‘Unpalatable experiences’

A graduate of UNILAG, Abayomi Roleola, who has had to pay twice and has still not got his transcripts sent, lamented that he could miss what he needs the document for A 2012 graduate of Science and Technology Education, he forwarded the details of his transaction and interaction with the university to Vanguard newspaper and it goes thus: “Matriculation number 080322066. The year of Admission was 2008. The year of Graduation was 2012. Statement of Result issued on January 22, 2013.

Certificate – certified graduation date December 18, 2012. Class of certificate: Second class lower in BSc Ed Integrated Science. Name listed in the convocation pamphlet. Applied for 100-400 levels transcripts on June 1, 2023, with reference number RC 1255864 and paid the required N25,000. Applied again on January 3, 2024, with reference number RC 1556112 and paid another N25,000, making a total of N50, 000.

“The purpose of applying for the transcript was given as WES with reference number 6023927. It was for career advancement as a number of opportunities have been lost due to the delay in obtaining academic transcripts.”

When Roleola could not get any response from the university, he escalated the issue my mailing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola on November 30, 2023. He has not got any response.

His findings showed that his results were unavailable in the Exams and Records Office.

Most recent acknowledgement of his application on the university portal was on January 24, this year where it was stated that an officer would be assigned to attend to his request.
Nothing has been heard since then.

A lady, Mosun, who needs the document to support her Direct Entry admission to the university through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, may wait a little longer.

She graduated from the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State and paid N17,000 for the document which is supposed to be sent to a university where she is seeking admission to continue her studies. She is not yet sure of what her fate would be.

JAMB early this year said some colleges and schools were fond of not sending academic documents of Direct Entry applicants to it on time for the applicants to be considered for admission.

‘I paid for every step of the process to get mine’

Grace, a journalist with a medical house in Lagos, recalled what she went through before getting her transcript from one of the state-owned universities in the Southwest.

“I paid for all the years I have left the school. Before I could get it, it was hell. You know our documents were in file form, and they had to search and search for weeks before they could get my file. Each step was paid for.

“Now that they are using computers it will be better for students. Every process is money. I also paid for a courier and envelope to send to the organization that requested it which I didn’t get a response from. So, whether they got it or not, I couldn’t trace it. I had to go back and request for a copy which I also paid for,” she said.

Admission opportunities, others lost

It has been a harrowing experience for Nigerians, especially, postgraduate candidates applying for transcripts of their academic records to enable them to secure admission in universities different from where they obtained their first degree.

While those who chose to further their studies where they got their first degrees maintained that it was a seamless process for them, others who opted for a change to other institutions lamented that they were almost frustrated by some officials who wanted them to play ball before doing what they were paid to do.

Narrating his experience to Vanguard, Mr. Tife Owolabi, a resident of Yenagoa, who is pursuing his PhD programme at the University of Port Harcourt, said: “Let me say it was lucky I had less difficulty in obtaining my transcript unlike many of my colleagues who had serious complaints. I obtained my Bachelor of Science and PGD from UNILAG.I then pursued my Master’s at UNIPORT, where I’m currently doing my PhD.

Surprisingly, I obtained my transcript from UNILAG and transferred it to UNIPORT without hassle, perhaps due to my luck or the help of connections within the system – which, admittedly, came at an extra cost. This is how things often work in Nigeria, where non-academic staff may expect something in return for doing their job.”

Also, Femi Folaranmi, a University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT, master’s student spoke in the same vein saying, “Getting my transcript from University of Ilorin looked easy on paper, but in reality it was time-consuming. After filling out the necessary form online, payment was another tedious exercise. Aside from that, the phone numbers given by the university to call rang out with no one picking it. Eventually after making private calls to old schoolmates working in the university to help out, you still need to constantly call the courier guys to keep tracking the transcript until it gets to its destination.

“However, I learnt the school has instituted some reforms that make payment easy and accelerate the process of getting the transcript to the required institutions.”

But Tombra Eduke, a master’s graduate of the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University, NDU, said he had no issue with his transcript since he applied to do his master’s degree at the same institution. He said: “People that usually have transcript issues are those that are applying to different institutions for their postgraduate programmes. I didn’t really have that issue of transcript procurement because I did both my BSc and MSc at the same institution.”

In Uyo, Udeme Utip had her first degree from the University of Cross Rivers (UNICROSS) and is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO).

Udeme told Sunday Vanguard, “I hear people undergo difficulties procuring transcripts but I never had any issue with applying for mine to further my studies at UNIUYO.

“I had one last year. All I did was go to UNICROSS where I graduated and applied. I paid N15,000 in all charges and the Exams and Records Unit handled the rest, including courier.

“I don’t know about other schools, but I think obtaining a transcript should not be a problem if your exams and scores records are intact. I already had my degree certificate when I went for the transcript and there was no issue locating my file.”

Prince Emeka Efeizomor who recently procured a transcript for a US-based sister had a rather ugly experience saying, “This was at the University of Port Harcourt, Unique UNIPORT they call it. My sister graduated in English in 1986, and worked with the Nigerian security agency with her degree before leaving for the US. It was not the first transcript she would procure, so it wasn’t supposed to be difficult.

“I went with a copy of the applicant’s certificate obtained from the institution. You won’t believe it, the first official I met at Exams and Records asked me to pay N10,000 for Graduation Gown before he would start anything.

“I told him, Oga, the transcript has nothing to do with the graduation gown. We are talking about an alumnus who graduated nearly 40 years ago. Having her certificate means she has done due clearance and owes the school no fee. But I sacrificed the money just to make progress.

“A couple of days later, he hit me with a rude shock. The UNIPORT official said my sister’s certificate was a fake result, and that I could be arrested. Confident the result was genuine; I went to the Department of English in the Faculty of Humanities she graduated from.

“To cut a long story short, her file was intact. I came back to the Exams and Records where they confirmed she had procured the transcript on two occasions earlier. My sister applied for both hardcopy and electronic copies through WES to the US destination. And a student copy as well.

“We paid nearly N170,000 to get everything done. The WES copy was the most important and it took some delay, but eventually, it was received at the other end. I think there is a need for improvement in their record keeping to ease the process when people apply for a transcript.”

Also, Francis Dufugha, a PhD student of Rivers State University while narrating his experience said: “The issue of time duration in obtaining the transcript is always a challenge faced by many applicants. I had an experience where I applied for my transcript from Delta State University, Abraka where I did my master’s programme but before it got to UNIPORT where I applied for PhD, the selection period had elapsed and this cost me my admission. Also, when I applied for the Rivers State University where I am currently doing my PhD programme, so many people were denied admission for no fault of theirs because of transcript issues. What most students do now is pay the school after they finish typing the transcript they collect it by hand and go post it themselves to be sure it gets to the school in two days before the admission process elapses”

Former Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Bayelsa State Council, Comrade Tariyon Akono, said: “Transcripts on application by ex-students are sent to the institutions of demand as it is usually not given to the ex-students. It takes months and follow-up to get it sent to the institution of demand. The system is manual and finding it takes days. Some people have lost admission opportunities because their previous institutions failed to send transcripts.”

My experience at ABU – Journalist

Muhammad Sabiu, a journalist, narrating what he went through getting his academic transcripts sent to another school for further studies, said, “When I went for my post-graduate studies at Bayero University Kano, I went to my alma mater, Ahmadu Bello University, Faculty of Arts, to receive my transcript.”

“On getting to the faculty office, the man in charge of the issuance was not on seat. And I was going from Zamfara State then to Zaria. However, I met a good Samaritan who was obliged to help. He collected my details and asked me to come the following week.

“The following week when I went there, I met the man in charge who told me that my transcript was ready but the university will send it to BUK. Later, I got to know they sent it which afforded me the opportunity to get admission to study PGD in Developmental Studies, Department of History in 2005.”

For Abdulganiyu Alabi, who recently applied for a transcript in ABU, Zaria, he said the process was seamless as after paying the prescribed fees, his academic transcript was sent to the appropriate department.

However, Ibrahim Mohammed lamented that on two occasions, the issuance of his academic transcript was delayed which almost affected his admission into a PhD programme.

“After paying for the transcript then, at the Senate Building and filling out the forms, I was asked to go and was assured that my transcript would be sent to the NDA. But to my surprise, I was told that the transcript was yet to be sent, weeks after. I am glad to know that things have improved in the university now,” he said.

Varied experiences from Kwara

Experiences of prospective postgraduate students, who applied for the document in various institutions in Kwara State are varied.

For instance, Alhaji Ali Muhammad Rabiu, a journalist and graduate of ABU, Zaria and Alhaji Lanre Alege, also a journalist and graduate of the University of Ilorin, have different experiences about the collection of their transcripts.

For Alege, a staff of TVC News, he said he was given his transcripts after convocation without any stress.

“We were just asked to apply to the postgraduate school for the transcript which we did, and immediately it was ready we were alerted. I think it was a space of two weeks then. There was no delay or what I can describe as a challenge in the collection of the transcript,” he said.

But for Rabiu, it was somehow a different experience. He said it took like three months for the transcript to arrive at the destination institution after payment.

“It is not supposed to be given directly by hand to the prospective students, but it is not supposed to take a longer period to the extent that admission would have closed before it arrives destination institution.

“Some weren’t that lucky, but in my own time, I was lucky the transcript arrived before admission closed,” he said.

He also pointed out that prospective postgraduate students, in a bid to beat the deadline and avoid the transcript from missing in transit through the post office, bribe staff in the Records Office.

OOU graduates lament

Two graduates of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, have been trying to get their transcripts for between one and three years now.

The duo, who related their experiences, are piqued that the slow pace of processing the document could cost them serious damage in their careers. Cecilia, who lives in one of the South-West states, said she applied for the document in March 2021, while Joyce, who stays in the United States, did so in March last year. They paid the mandatory N50,000 processing fee along with their applications.

Cecilia has heard nothing from OOU more than three years after applying for her transcript, Joyce, who applied for hers at UNILAG and OOU in March last year, got the document from UNILAG alone.

”I graduated from OOU then Ogun State University in 1997 with a Second Class Lower in Guidance and Counselling. I did my Master’s degree at the same university and graduated in the year 2000. I applied for a transcript for the first degree in March 2021 and up till now, no transcript has been given.

“I visited the Registrar’s office and was directed to Exams and Records and was referred to my faculty. I discussed this with the dean who incidentally was my lecturer. He appealed to me that I should exercise patience that it would be sorted out soon. Since then, I have been using unofficial means and they kept telling me the university can’t find some of my results and it is not only me.

“About two months ago, someone called me to ask me if I could lay my hands on my 300 and 400-level courses or ask my friends that we finished together; I told the person I couldn’t. The person said he would get back but he never did. Some two weeks after, I called the number, but he didn’t pick up.”

‘What I think is responsible for my brother’s case’

Charles, who has been helping his brother to pursue getting his academic records from UNILAG believes the institution has a peculiar problem, especially with getting the document from the Faculty of Education.

“I believe that the UNILAG case is not just money money-making issue. The Faculty of Education is a case of negligence where students’ results were not archived. It’s a case of missing results which is the main constraint. I think the money issue is a general issue across the board. In my brother’s case, findings revealed that their entire class semester results were not archived. So, I guess UNILAG might need to do a ‘work back’ of the cumulative results to obtain the missing results.

“Recall that UNILAG has stated results and certificates since 2012. So, what now happened to those raw results that were used to populate the graduation list? This requires the VC/ Senate’s directive. Some of the affected graduates with political and litigation connections have resolved theirs through this means quietly. So, what about others?

“It saddens my heart to know that a prestigious university like UNILAG would be quiet about this, rather than conducting holistic investigation and giving directive to resolve this issue,” he stated.

Responses from institutions

Reacting to the development, the Head of Communication Unit, UNILAG, Alhaja Ajoke Alaga Ibrahim said some people don’t make requests for their transcripts early enough.

“Some people won’t apply for the document on time. Imagine somebody seeking admission for a higher degree in September and just applying for transcripts in August. We have had such a situation like that in the past. In January, the person was saying he needed the document but did not apply for it. He only applied in August when the item should be sent in September, how fast can we do that?

“We must not forget the issue of a large number of applicants and the pressure on the staff working in that section. It is first come, first to be served. Some also don’t apply right. Some people, especially those living abroad, would get people to apply on their behalf, and the other person may fill wrong address. If somebody has given wrong information, such could be lost in transit.

“We have a process whereby someone can track his or her transcripts. This is to let the applicant know the movement of the document. We allot reference numbers to all requests and there are phone numbers one can call if there is any issue. Even there are email addresses to send messages to, “ she explained.
Speaking on the issue, the Director of Information, University of Ilorin, Mr Kunle Akogun, said, “The transcript collection process has been digitised, whereby our ex-students in need of it need to apply online.

“In normal circumstances, the transcripts are delivered online, within 24 hours, to the addresses provided after the payment of the necessary charges. In cases where the student’s spreadsheet is not readily available at the Transcript Office, it could take between 48 hours and 72 hours to deliver. This is because the candidate’s old Department has to be contacted for necessary action to fish out the spreadsheet.” he said.

Also, a spokesman for a university in Ondo State, who craved anonymity, noted that the number of persons seeking to get their transcripts far outweighs what the staff in the Exams and Records Department could cope with.

“With the huge number of Nigerians going abroad for further studies because of the attached benefit of going with family members, the pressure to get the document is high. Some applicants can even give wrong details of themselves or the places they want their transcripts sent to. Added to that is the penchant of people to get things done as fast as possible and inducing those in charge. That could make doing it on a first come first served basis to be impossible, “ he stated.