The Unjust Withholding of Certification: A Tale of Struggle at Olabisi Onabanjo University

The Unjust Withholding of Certification: A Tale of Struggle at Olabisi Onabanjo University

For many students, earning a degree represents the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. It is not only a ticket to better career opportunities but also a symbol of personal achievement and growth. Unfortunately, for one student at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), this dream has been cruelly deferred. After 8 long years of waiting, pleading, and appealing, this student is still trapped in an agonizing limbo, with no end in sight.

The issue at hand isn’t an academic failure or an issue of misconduct—it is the university’s refusal to release the student’s certification. Despite the student meeting all academic requirements, their result remains withheld, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and despair. What is perhaps even more distressing is the fact that the university has issued a final verdict: the student will not be given their certification, with no clear reason provided for this decision.

The Cost of Waiting

Imagine a young person who has invested their time, money, and energy into earning a degree, only to find themselves stuck in a bureaucratic nightmare. For 8 years, this student has sent numerous letters of appeal, begging the university to reconsider their case. Every year, they have traveled long distances, spending money on transport, incurring costs for documentation, and dedicating time they could have used to build their future. Every year, they have hoped, only to be met with indifference and rejection.

This student has not only suffered emotionally, but they have also borne the financial burden of repeated trips to the university and the cost of numerous appeal letters. Each day spent waiting is a day lost in the pursuit of their career and personal growth. For a young person at the threshold of adulthood, these 8 years are irreplaceable, a painful reminder of how quickly time slips away when dreams are denied.

The Human Cost

What is even more heartbreaking is the human cost of this situation. The withholding of certification is more than a bureaucratic decision—it is a denial of the student's dignity, hopes, and future. The university, which should serve as a place of empowerment, has instead become a barrier, blocking a student’s path to success. This decision doesn’t just affect one person—it impacts families, communities, and even the economy. Every student who is denied their rightful certification is denied the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society.

The mental and emotional toll is incalculable. For 8 years, this student has been left in a state of uncertainty, questioning their worth and wondering what went wrong. They have done everything asked of them—succeeded academically, met all deadlines, and followed all the necessary processes. Yet they are still treated as though they are somehow undeserving of their achievement.

The University’s Responsibility

It is crucial for universities to remember that they are not just institutions of learning—they are custodians of the futures of their students. When a student successfully completes their coursework, they deserve the right to receive their certification in a timely manner, barring any extraordinary circumstances. Denying this right, especially when the student has done everything within their power to appeal and resolve the issue, is an act of cruelty.

Olabisi Onabanjo University has a responsibility to its students to act with fairness, transparency, and compassion. While administrative processes may occasionally take time, 8 years of waiting is far beyond reasonable. The university should have taken action long ago to resolve this matter and allow the student to move on with their life. The pain caused by this delay is unnecessary and inexcusable.

A Call for Justice

The story of this student is not an isolated case. Many others across the country have experienced similar struggles, trapped in bureaucratic limbo with no clear path forward. The time has come for universities, including Olabisi Onabanjo University, to be held accountable for their actions—or lack thereof.

This student has already paid a high price for their education. Now, it is time for the university to do the right thing and release their certification. It is time for Olabisi Onabanjo University to show that they value their students, that they care about the people who entrust their education to them, and that they will not allow bureaucracy to stand in the way of a student’s future.

Let this be a reminder that the pain caused by such decisions is real, and the consequences can last a lifetime. No student should have to endure what this individual has been forced to go through. The university must take action, right the wrong, and offer a timely resolution. After all, education is meant to be a path to a better future—not a reason for prolonged suffering.

In conclusion, the time for empathy, fairness, and action is now. We urge Olabisi Onabanjo University to release the withheld certification and allow this student the opportunity to move forward, just as any student deserves after completing their studies. The university must take responsibility for its role in shaping the futures of its students, and ensure that no one else is forced to endure this unnecessary pain.