Punch reports that several Nigerian graduates have described their final-year research projects as sources of significant financial and psychological stress. The publication highlights accounts from students at both private and public universities who felt their progress was hindered by the conduct of their project supervisors. These narratives suggest that the final stage of undergraduate education can be marked by uncertainty and frustration rather than a straightforward conclusion of academic requirements.
Segun Adesegun, a Mass Communication graduate from a private university in Ogun State, told Punch that his two-year course extended into four academic sessions due to his supervisor's behavior. He noted that he had to submit multiple topics that were repeatedly rejected, leading to what he described as a slow decline in his well-being. According to Punch, Adesegun’s supervisor would disappear for months after chapters were completed, forcing the student to balance his studies with employment to afford the necessary printouts and corrections.
Lekan Yakub, a linguistics graduate from a government university in Osun State, described his experience as victimization. Punch reports that Yakub was required to reprint entire chapters for minor corrections, sometimes up to ten times. He recalled carrying two cartons of corrected papers to his supervisor’s office for final approval. Yakub also mentioned overhearing a conversation where his supervisor explained to an external examiner that he gave him a lower grade to teach him a lesson, despite the examiner’s initial assessment.
Titilayo Babajide, an English Language graduate from a Lagos university, shared a similar experience of wasted resources. She stated that her supervisor changed her topic after she had completed the first chapter, forcing her to restart her research. Babajide told Punch that she had to borrow money for a laptop and worked in the school library to meet deadlines while managing illness. Roseline Obed, an entrepreneur from a private university in Ibadan, added that her supervisor made daily demands for meetings and errands, which she later understood as a request for favors.
Dr. Mustapha Sanbe, an educational psychologist at Summit University in Kwara State, commented on these trends. He noted that while some students may be difficult, others face supervisors who cross ethical boundaries. Sanbe suggested that these dynamics often involve a mix of money, gifts, and personal interactions, particularly when female students are involved. He added that many professors have faced scrutiny for such conduct in the past.