Nigerian Students at ESM University Appeal to President Tinubu After Derecognition

 

At least 650 Nigerian students currently enrolled at ESM University in Benin Republic have urgently appealed to President Bola Tinubu for assistance following the Federal Government's recent decision to derecognize the institution. This move was part of a broader ban on universities in Benin and Togo after over 22,500 fake graduate certificates were uncovered from these institutions between 2019 and 2023.

On Thursday, students and their parents held a peaceful protest at the residence of Chibuzo Chinyere, General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry (OPM), in Port Harcourt. The protestors, many of whom are OPM scholarship recipients, expressed deep concern over the impact of the ban on their education and mental health.

Hycenth Ikechukwu, a final-year Business Administration student, expressed frustration at the timing of the ban, noting that ESM University was accredited by the Nigerian Government when he enrolled in 2019. “We urge President Tinubu to intervene and direct the Education Ministry to reconsider this hasty decision that could ruin our lives. It is not fair to ask someone in their final year to start at 100-level in Nigerian universities after years of hard work and millions expended,” a visibly emotional Ikechukwu said.

Moses Joseph, a 200-level Computer Science student, called for government action to facilitate their transfer to Nigerian universities. “We should be allowed to submit our academic transcripts to continue our education in the country. I am willing to start at 100-level, if necessary,” he pleaded.

Wisdom Nweze, another student, revealed that the derecognition has severely affected her mental well-being and urged the government to address the situation. “The de-accreditation of my university has taken a toll on my mental health. I urge the federal government to find a solution.”

Chinyere highlighted that the 650 students are among over 4,000 OPM scholarship recipients studying in various countries, including the U.S., UK, Canada, Turkey, Ethiopia, and Cyprus. He emphasized that the church had previously verified ESM University’s accreditation before the recent developments.

The students and their advocates are calling on the federal government to reverse the decision or find a viable solution to ensure that their academic pursuits are not disrupted.