by Willy Okonji
Students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have raised alarm over what they describe as a troubling pattern of being marked absent in courses they fully attended and completed, sparking frustration and calls for urgent institutional review.
In accounts shared anonymously on behalf of affected students, the group said the issue has nothing to do with truancy or misconduct, but rather what appears to be systemic errors in recording and processing academic results.
“We did everything right, yet we were marked absent,” one student lamented, capturing the mood of many who say they are battling what they call “phantom absences.”
“We followed every instruction”
The students insist they met all academic requirements, including attending lectures, signing attendance sheets, completing continuous assessments, submitting assignments, and sitting for examinations.
“In the exam halls, we followed every instruction carefully. There was no confusion. No absence. No mistake — at least, none from our side,” another student said.
However, when results were released, many were shocked to find “ABS” — denoting absence — instead of grades.
“A word that erases effort… and in this case, is simply not true,” the statement added.
Complaints, delays, and silence
Following the discovery, affected students said they reported the issue to lecturers, course advisers, and departmental offices, submitting evidence such as attendance records and test scripts.
But the response, they claim, has been largely repetitive and inconclusive.
“Don’t worry, it’s being worked on,” students were repeatedly told.
Weeks reportedly turned into months without resolution, with repeated follow-ups yielding little progress.
From error to penalty
The situation escalated when some students were allegedly advised to retake the affected courses as carryovers.
“You may have to write it as a carryover,” officials reportedly told them — a move students say effectively punishes them for an error they did not commit.
“This is not just an administrative mistake; it is a system failure that shifts the burden onto students,” one account read.
Mounting consequences
Students warn that the issue is already taking a toll, citing delayed graduation timelines, emotional distress, and additional financial costs tied to extended study periods.
For many, the controversy has also eroded trust in the university’s academic processes.
“This is about fairness, accountability, and being seen,” the statement said.
Calls for urgent action
The affected students are demanding a thorough investigation into ABS-related cases, immediate correction of verified errors, improved communication from university authorities, and reforms to prevent recurrence.
They also urged other affected students to speak up, noting that many have remained silent out of frustration.
“We are not asking for favours. We are asking for justice,” they said.
“We are not absent. We were there. We are still here. And we deserve to be acknowledged.”
