UniAbuja Alumni Demand VC’s Resignation Over Amnesty for Exam Malpractice

A group of former students from Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja) has strongly condemned the university’s recent decision to grant amnesty to students previously caught in examination malpractice.

Operating under the name Concerned Alumni of University of Abuja, the group is demanding the immediate resignation of Vice Chancellor Professor Lar Patricia Manko and the dissolution of the university’s senate. 

In a joint statement signed by Mohammad Usman and Oluwaseun Akintola, the alumni described the amnesty as unprecedented and damaging, especially at a time when the university’s reputation has been in decline. They argued the move reduces the institution to “a glorified secondary school.” 

They also accused the university’s Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob, of misleading the public by insisting the decision was not politically motivated. 

Lecturers, according to the alumni, have privately expressed outrage over the decision, suspecting that it was orchestrated to protect politically connected students who had been disciplined for cheating. The group questioned the secrecy surrounding the identities of the beneficiaries and the timing—just weeks before the acting VC’s tenure ends. 

They also raised legal concerns, pointing out that some of the affected students had lost their cases in court, with appeals still pending. The group demanded clarity on whether the students would be required to retake the exams or simply be awarded certificates. 

Other key questions raised include: 

Why does the amnesty cover only the period between the 2020/2021 academic year and the first semester of 2024/2025? 

Who are the “special” students being protected? 

Why are education authorities, including the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission silent? 

The group alleged that some lecturers had rejected bribes from powerful students and faced threats for doing so, only for the university leadership to later grant amnesty, potentially after receiving larger bribes. 

They have given the university a seven-day deadline to reverse the decision or face legal action aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the institution’s degrees. In response, Dr. Yakoob said the amnesty was the result of careful consideration and was meant to promote fairness across all faculties and levels, not political interests.