Court Fines Obafemi Awolowo University N5.8m Over Degree Downgrade

The Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, awarded exemplary damages of N5.8 million against Obafemi Awolowo University for attempting to downgrade the degree classification of Shekoni Jemima Oluwagbemisola, a graduate from the Department of Physiotherapy. The case, referenced as Suit No.

FHC/OS/CS/107/2025, was brought forth by Oluwagbemisola's lawyer, Princewil Okoroafor, after the university unilaterally revised her degree classification from "pass credit" to "pass." The court confirmed that Oluwagbemisola graduated in the 2023 academic year and that the university had publicly affirmed her classification during the 47th convocation ceremony in December 2023. The court described the university's conduct as arbitrary and reckless, ruling in favor of the student and ordering the release of her original certificate with the correct classification.

The court emphasized that the university acted without regard for international best practices required for maintaining its reputation.