UniAbuja refutes claims of amnesty for students involved in exam malpractice
The management of the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University) has denied an online report regarding the recent amnesty allegedly granted to students of the institution involved in examination malpractice.
Dr Habib Yakoob, Acting Director of Information and University Relations at the University of Abuja, responded to the report in a statement released on Monday in Abuja, describing the claims that the amnesty given to the students was politically motivated as both misleading and completely false.
Yakoob emphasised that the decision was taken in good faith and clarified that it was the university’s Senate, during its 189th Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, that approved an amnesty for students accused of examination misconduct between the 2020/2021 and the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic sessions.
He explained that the decision was made in line with the authority granted to the Senate under the University of Abuja Act (Section 19, Subsection 1), following a thorough review of the recommendations presented by the Central Examination Misconduct Committee.
He said, “The attention of the management of the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University) has been drawn to reports published by an online platform concerning the recent amnesty granted to some students of the institution.”
“The university management wishes to state that the institution remains firmly committed to due process, transparency, and full compliance with all regulatory standards set by the relevant professional bodies, including the National Universities Commission (NUC).”
“It should also be stated that the claim that this Senate decision was intended to appease anyone or was politically motivated is both false and misleading.”
“The students, who are the beneficiaries of this amnesty, cut across different faculties and levels and were not limited to any particular group or individual. The decision itself was made in good faith.”
“The university remains resolute in treating with all seriousness cases of examination misconduct, and sanctions are applied where appropriate,” he stated.
Yakoob further noted that the University Senate, which serves as the highest academic decision-making authority, also possesses the power to intervene in or reassess pending cases as part of its duty to ensure fair and timely academic justice.
“The university assures all stakeholders that its decisions are guided by transparency, integrity, and respect for academic standards, institutional growth, and public trust,” he stated.
