Achievers University has uncovered an alleged tuition fraud involving N457,508,645, with a former staff member accused of diverting school fees paid by 320 students into her personal account.
The institution disclosed that the fraud was allegedly masterminded by one Olanike Mary Asabia, an alumnus of the Department of Accounting who was later employed in the university’s bursary department before resigning from service in April 2025.
The disclosure was contained in bulletins issued by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Oyesoji Aremu, following the outcome of an internal audit and investigation into the university’s student payment portal.
According to the university management, the fraudulent activities affected the 2023/2024, 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.
The institution explained that investigations revealed that 320 students allegedly paid their tuition fees into the personal account of the ex-staff member, who subsequently cleared the affected students on the university portal without the institution receiving the payments.
Management stated that many of the students were allegedly lured into the arrangement through offers of discounted fees and commissions.
The university further disclosed that 11 members of staff and 34 students allegedly acted as agents in recruiting students into the fraudulent scheme.
It added that one external individual working at the Federal Medical Centre was also indicted for allegedly participating in the recruitment process linked to the fraud.
In an earlier bulletin dated April 14, 2026, the university had informed members of the institution about the discovery of suspicious activities involving the hacking of its student payment portal.
The management stated at the time that some present and former staff members, alongside some students, allegedly manipulated the portal by clearing payments without remitting the funds into the university’s official accounts.
Following the discovery, the institution constituted an audit and investigative panel that required all students to appear before it with evidence of payment into official university accounts.
According to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, the exercise for current students was concluded on May 22, 2026.
The university directed all affected students to repay their full tuition fees through officially designated university accounts, warning that normal penalties for late payment would apply.
Management also disclosed that all 320 indicted students, alongside six students identified as agents, would appear before the Students Disciplinary Committee to explain their roles in the matter.
Similarly, the 11 staff members accused of acting as agents in the scheme are expected to face the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee.
The university stated that the ex-staff member accused of masterminding the fraud is currently under police investigation and may face prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Management added that the audit exercise would continue, particularly with the review of payments made by students who graduated within the last two academic sessions.
The institution maintained that it had secured approval from its governing council to ensure transparency in the handling of the investigation and dissemination of information to members of the university community.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor appealed for cooperation from staff and students to ensure a successful recovery and audit process.