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

Former students of Yakubu Gowon University have demanded the resignation of the Vice Chancellor and reversal of a controversial amnesty granted to students caught cheating, alleging political favoritism, bribery, and damage to the institution’s academic integrity.

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.