NSCDC Uncovers Alleged Fake Foreign University Scheme in Lagos, Rescues 106 Young Nigerians, Foreign Nationals
An apartment that appeared to be an ordinary three-bedroom residence in the Ilado area of Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, has been uncovered as the alleged operational base of a fraudulent academic and recruitment scheme that reportedly attracted more than 100 young people from Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of foreign university admission.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Badagry Area Command, has confirmed the dismantling of the suspected illegal institution, the arrest of its alleged proprietor, and the placement of 106 young persons in protective custody.
The operation was conducted in the early hours of Monday following days of intelligence gathering, surveillance and monitoring by NSCDC operatives.
When the location was visited after the raid, several young men and women were found inside the apartment, many appearing confused and uncertain about their situation. Most of those rescued were between the ages of 19 and 24 years.
Preliminary findings revealed that the victims were recruited from different parts of Nigeria, including Kogi, Oyo and several northern states, while some travelled from neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon and Togo after responding to online advertisements.
Investigators discovered that the alleged institution had no recognised name, registration, signboard or physical campus, but reportedly operated from the rented apartment while presenting itself online as a distance-learning centre affiliated with a foreign university.
The Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation followed credible intelligence received by the command.
“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,” he said.
According to preliminary investigations, unsuspecting youths were allegedly persuaded to pay admission and processing fees after being promised opportunities to study abroad.
Some victims reportedly paid between ₦200,000 and ₦1.5 million, while foreign nationals and other participants allegedly paid between $400 and $500.
Investigators also uncovered an alleged recruitment structure where participants were encouraged to bring in more people into the programme in exchange for financial rewards.
The system reportedly operated through referral commissions, with participants allegedly earning more money based on the number of new students they introduced.
One of the rescued individuals reportedly disclosed that after paying $400, he introduced his brother from Kogi State into the programme and had started receiving commissions from referrals.
The NSCDC further revealed that some participants were allegedly involved in promoting unidentified products online while receiving percentages from sales and recruitment activities.
Chief Superintendent Ekunola expressed concern that many parents were unaware of the true nature of what their children were doing 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.
He assured that all rescued persons would undergo proper profiling before being reunited with their families and guardians.
The NSCDC also vowed that anyone found responsible for operating the alleged fake institution would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
The discovery highlights the growing threat of fraudulent online admission schemes targeting young people seeking educational opportunities abroad.
As investigations continue, security authorities are working to uncover the full network behind the operation, identify possible collaborators and determine whether similar schemes exist in other parts of the country.
For the rescued youths, what they believed would be a pathway to an international academic future has instead become the centre of a major investigation into alleged fraud and exploitation.
NSCDC Uncovers Alleged Fake Foreign University Scheme in Lagos, Rescues 106 Young Nigerians, Foreign Nationals