Hopes of hundreds undertaking the Lagos State University HND-BSc conversion programmes may have been dashed following the refusal of the university authorities to release the results of the students to enable them to graduate almost two years after their final examinations.
The HND-BSc degree conversion students are angry and accusing the university of administrative indiscretion which culminated in their inability to upload the results and subsequent Senate approval for this year’s graduation which has been fixed for April 3rd to 10, 2025.
Some of the HND graduate students regretted the turnout of situations saying the results delay is hurting their career advancement, job promotions, travel plans and job hunt after spending millions of Naira on the programme meant to upgrade their Higher National Diploma (HND) to Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in a two-year tailored programme.
“My future is on the line,” a graduate student waiting to apply for her Masters in the United Kingdom who battled to hold her tears said.
In what has been termed an institutional habit, it was learnt that the set before the protesting class also suffered similar fate and had to result to self help before their results were finally uploaded and even had to graduate in batches.
In an emotion-laden tone, a student of Public Administration, who needed her results for the Master’s programme application but missed the deadline in mid-2024, added: “I don’t understand how processing results can take this long. It’s over a year and LASU has jeopardized my plans, it’s depressing.”
In the summer of 2021 when prospective students picked up application forms for top-up programmes at the Lagos State University, Ojo with excitement and hope for a better future, little did they know they were signing up for frustration and roadblock that would later haunt them.
For those that are expecting promotions especially the civil servants among them, others with travelling plans and those hoping for career advancement have been left in palpable apprehension as the completion of a programme that should have been a time to celebrate, ushered in a period of uncertainties, self-doubt, and depressiveness.
It was gathered that the conversion programme for which the students got admitted in August 2021 (2020/2021 set) ought to be for 18 months but the students sat for their last examinations in December 2023, making it 28 months as against the 18 months advertised by the institution.
The affected students completed the varsity’s Higher National Diploma/Professional Certificate Conversion Top-up Degree Programme to address the dichotomy between B.Sc and HND Certificate holders in the job market.
“The major aim is to enable HND/Professional Certificate holders to possess Degree Certificates. Ultimately, the programme is designed to promote self-actualisation and imbue professional fulfillment with dignity,” LASU said about the programme on its websites.
The courses offered by the programme include Accounting, Business Administration, Banking and Finance, Industrial Relations/ human resources, Public Administration, Marketing, Mass Communication, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Project Management Technology and Insurance.
However, contrary to what the varsity said the programme was designed to promote, unnecessary internal politics within the files and ranks of LASU officials have rendered students’ pursuit of a better life in jeopardy nearly 20 months after they completed their respective programmes.
“I work with the Lagos State Government as a health official and I decided to upgrade my HND to BSc to enable me to meet up with my promotion/advancement but the sole decision to study in LASU did not favoured me at all,” another student at the School of Marketing, who craved anonymity for fear of being persecuted, said.
Asked how she felt about the HND/BSc conversion programme, she said: “It looked like a total waste because I already missed out (on a promotion at work), and I hope and pray it will not continue like this. To be candid, I’m not happy with the way we’re being treated after all the stress, and still no result to show for all our efforts.”
Also, a student at the Faculty of Management Sciences, explained that though the school was known for such delays, there was more to the current situation.
“We all thought it was just a technical issue as those results concerned are Computer Based Test exams but it was surprising that results that should be ready a day after the exam are now taking up to 12 months and yet, not released. This is different and no one is even addressing us or giving us answers as to what is responsible,” he said.
Checks revealed that the delayed results may not be unconnected to internal conflict and power play among some senior members of staff, particularly the head of ICT and CBT centres were alleged to be the clog in the wheel of uploading the results online, with sources claiming that the delay being experienced was because they feel too powerful and knew they are untouchable. The notoriety for delays and the arrogance of the IT leadership is believed to be at the centre of this problem, findings show.
It was gathered that the Director, School of Part Time Studies, Prof. Pemede Oluwatobi, Assistant Director, School of Part Time Studies, Conversion Unit, Dr. Babalola Oluwaseun PhD, and the Director of ICT, Prof. Oluwatoyin Enikuomehin, PhD, were prominent figures in the internal politics.
The Director of ICT was specifically fingered as an arrowhead and ‘all powerful man’ who do what he wills and uploading of results only happens at his convenience depending on his mood. As gathered, Enikuomehin wields so much power beyond the Vice Chancellor who is reportedly unable to call him to order.
“Results have been delayed before, but this time, something is fishy,” another affected student lamented.
“We’ve had countless consultations and conversations with our coordinators, even recently, we were instructed to write a letter stating the results that were yet to be released almost a year after we completed our programmes, but still, no definite response and this situation have kept many stuck,” a student of computer science told our correspondent.
The students and others who needed the results to apply for better job opportunities have missed out on the timeframe due to the delay which no officials from the institution have been able to provide answers to.
Beyond professional and personal aspirations, the situation has begun affecting students’ mental well-being. “We feel stuck, and no one seems to care. They’re making it look like it is a favour after we paid half a million for the programme,” said Oluwatayo, another affected student.
Despite the delayed results, the school is already admitting another batch of students for the programme with entrance examination and screening held on January 25, 2025.
“Two sets have been admitted after our set, the third set about to be admitted just wrote their entrance exam,” Oluwatayo said.
Also, the school announced its convocation and plans to commence production of certificates for the 2023/24 sets with over 200 students’ results pending.
“Graduating students are requested to print the completed online bio-data forms, academic profiles and attach a white background passport which should be submitted at their respective faculties on or before close of work on Friday, February 21 2025,” the circular read.
Efforts to reach the director of SPTS (School of Part Time studies) proved abortive as calls to his lines were not picked nor returned as of time of filing this report.
With no definite answer and no official communication from the varsity, the affected students are left hoping that there will be a form of miracle that will spur the institution to wake up to its duties by improving efficiency, transparency and accountability to prevent ruining students’ careers, aspirations, and emotional wellbeing.
