By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Nearly two months after the submission of a petition alleging the issuance of fake Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results, affected students and education rights advocates are still waiting for a formal response from the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
The petition, dated March 18, 2025, and obtained by KosofePost, was submitted by the Lagos State chapter of the Child Protection Network (CPN), an initiative of UNICEF. It accuses the National Council of Muslim Youths Organization College (NACOMYO), located on Kadiri Street, Ijora Badia, of issuing falsified BECE certificates to 18 students.
The irregularities were uncovered when a parent, Mrs. Zakariyat, noticed discrepancies in her daughter’s certificate during a scholarship application process. According to the petition, the school charged ₦25,000 per student for the examination, only to allegedly provide non-genuine certificates.
The case was reported to the Iganmu Police Station, with an Investigating Police Officer identified as IPO Yunusa assigned. The petition also points to possible internal collusion within the school, involving headteachers and administrative staff, raising further concerns about systemic malpractice.
The Child Protection Network called on the Ministry to:
Verify the authenticity of the contested results with the state examination board;
Launch a thorough investigation into the college;
Apply sanctions if the allegations are confirmed;
Ensure justice and fair treatment for the affected students.
As of May 7, 2025, there has been no official response or public statement from the ministry, a silence that has heightened frustration among parents and child rights advocates.
Speaking to KosofePost, Prince Awofeso Rasheed, State Secretary of the Child Protection Network, reiterated the group’s demands. “We are still waiting for an update from the ministry,” he said. “These young students deserve justice and fair treatment.”
The ongoing delay has prompted fresh calls on the Lagos State Government to urgently investigate the matter and uphold the integrity of the education system.
Stakeholders warn that continued inaction may embolden similar violations and undermine public trust in the state’s education authorities.