Education

Please Help Me: UNIBEN Has Not Cleared Me Since I Graduated in 2019

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 22nd, 2025.

Please Help Me: UNIBEN Has Not Cleared Me Since I Graduated in 2019

I’m really in need of your advice and support concerning a long-standing issue with the University of Benin. Apologies in advance for the lengthy post, but I need to explain the situation clearly.

I graduated from UNIBEN in December 2019, but due to financial challenges, I couldn’t begin my clearance process until over a year later. When I finally went to start, everything was going smoothly until I got to the Student Affairs department. It was there they discovered a spelling error in my name.

The mistake originated from my department, and I was asked to return there to get it corrected before proceeding. I did exactly that—met with my Head of Department, explained the issue, and was asked to write a formal letter, which I submitted through her secretary. When I asked how long it might take, I was told “maybe two months.”

After two months, I returned to check the status—nothing had changed. I went back to the department, and once again, the HOD requested a fresh letter. I complied, but months passed and still no update. This back-and-forth continued, but due to the cost of each trip (about ₦50,000 per visit), I eventually ran out of funds. I even asked friends who were still on campus to follow up for me and submit additional letters on my behalf, but there was still no progress.

In July last year, I learned that the department had a new HOD. I managed to raise some money and travelled to Benin to meet him, hoping he could help. Unfortunately, the meeting did not go well. He told me I wasn’t serious, claiming that no such complaint had ever been brought to his attention. I explained that I had sent several letters to the previous HOD and that financial constraints had prevented me from visiting earlier. I also mentioned that I tried to get his phone number through a friend, which made him extremely angry. He berated me, saying things like, “You don’t have any professor in your lineage” and that we weren’t on the same level.

Despite the harsh treatment, he eventually asked me to submit a new letter along with my school screening certificate and eligibility slip so they could verify my correct name. I did as he said, but nearly a year has passed since then and still—nothing.

Just yesterday, I called the clearance officer at Student Affairs, and she simply said, “Iyede, they never do am.” At this point, I’m lost and extremely frustrated. It’s been over five years since I graduated. All my official documents—from my screening certificate to my Kofa page—bear the correct name. The error was not from me.

Now, I’m stuck. No work experience, no certificate, and no way to apply for jobs. I’ve thought about taking legal action, but in a system like this, where justice often depends on “who you know,” I wonder if I even stand a chance without connections.

Please, what can I do? I’m open to any advice or support you can offer.