NSCDC Uncovers Fake University in Lagos, Rescues 106 Students

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Badagry Area Command, has uncovered a suspected fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, rescuing 106 youths allegedly recruited into the scheme.

The command also arrested the alleged proprietor of the institution, who was accused of deceiving young people from Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.

The operation was carried out in the early hours of Monday after several days of intelligence gathering and surveillance by NSCDC operatives.

According to the corps, the suspected institution had no official name, registration, signboard or recognised campus but allegedly portrayed itself online as a distance-learning centre affiliated with a foreign university.

Speaking on Monday, the Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the raid followed credible intelligence on the activities taking place at the apartment.

“We got reliable intelligence about the activities going on there. Our officers monitored the place for days before moving in. We have arrested the proprietor, who is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been taken into our protective custody,” Ekunola said.

Investigations revealed that most of the rescued youths were between 19 and 24 years old and had travelled from several Nigerian states, including Kogi, Oyo and parts of northern Nigeria. Others reportedly came from neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon and Togo after being recruited online.

Preliminary findings indicated that the victims paid admission and processing fees ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦1.5 million, while some foreign nationals reportedly paid between $400 and $500 after being promised admission into a foreign tertiary institution.

The NSCDC said the admission process allegedly required participants to recruit additional students in exchange for commissions.

Investigators believe the operation functioned like a Ponzi or chain-marketing scheme, with financial rewards tied to the number of new recruits.

The corps also discovered that some participants were involved in promoting unidentified products online while earning commissions from both product sales and recruitment.

Ekunola expressed concern that many parents were unaware of their children’s activities in Badagry.

“We have started contacting their families. One parent told us her child informed the family that he came to Badagry to learn a trade, not to attend a university. That shows many of these parents were completely unaware,” he said.