News

Knocks, Kudos Trail Viral Video Of Professor Lecturing Empty Class After Students Failed To Show Up

Published

12 months ago

May 15, 2025

A video of a Nigerian university professor lecturing an empty classroom has gone viral, sparking a wave of reactions ranging from praise to concern over student commitment and possible communication breakdowns.

The lecturer reportedly said to be a Professor at the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, was filmed addressing an absent class on what was meant to be the first day of lectures for the semester.

In the now-viral video, the professor was seen standing in front of a row of empty seats, calmly explaining that although no students had turned up, he felt it was important to show up and register his presence.

He said, “Today, we have started our course program for the semester but unfortunately, the students are yet to be seen.

“But I’m happy that Dr Sunday Jonathan who is the course student’s advisor for the department and the quality assurance director for the department as well is around and is witnessing the empty class.

“All the same, I feel I should be around to register my presence.”

The clip quickly made the rounds on social media, with reactions pouring in from amused and concerned Nigerians.

𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬, 𝐤𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩

A video of a Nigerian university professor lecturing an empty classroom has gone viral, sparking… pic.twitter.com/7Zv723K8JL

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) May 15, 2025

Some users was stated that the professor’s action was not necessary or mentally sound and many suggested the incident might have resulted from a communication breakdown.

Olayemi, who tweets on X.com as #Impregnabilis, wrote, “Something is not right, there has to be a miscommunication somewhere which was why nobody showed up. Even if the whole class agrees not to come, there will always be Judas Iscariot that gets to the class first and asks complex questions while the rest of the class is still trying to grasp what the lecturer is saying.

“There will always be a snitch if it is a deliberate attempt to frustrate the lecturer. The overzealous ones would have shown up at least.”

#ishkao1 agreed saying, “There’s definitely a miscommunication, something is not just right , everyone can’t be absent from class completely. Nigerian lecturers do the most.”

Dr OAT, identified on X as #Olaadewale2324 wrote, “I was a university lecturer. I see this as funny and unreasonable. This professor may have miscommunicated the lecture schedule to the students through their rep. Also, some Nigerian professors are just venturing into social media business. He may have just made his first debut.”

Őké-Belgium tweeting as #ChukwunyeluOrji commented, “In a sane society, this man should be more concerned at the well being of his students, if they are all ok, why no one was attending his class that day, if they are well aware the resumption date, class times etc. everything in Nigeria should not be hard and wicked.”

#Bukky0fficial1, similarly tweeted, “Teaching an empty class as if students were present suggests a serious psychological concern. Such behavior raises red flags about the individual’s mental state. It’s s not something a mentally stable person would typically do. Unfortunately, only in a place like Nigeria would such conduct be overlooked instead of properly evaluated.”

Tolúlopé Adéníyì tweeting as #tolutronics wrote, “The university authority needs to check the psychological state of this lecturer asap.”

However, some others lauded the professor’s dedication and criticised the students for what they perceived as a lack of discipline.

On Facebook, Lawal Mu’azu-Obah wrote, “I am surprised that instead of blaming the students for not attending the class, some people are saying negative things about the lecturer of IBB University who delivered a lecture to an empty class. Why are you throwing blames at a lecturer who has taken his job seriously and is doing it diligently?

“I bet you, if I was the lecturer, I would have given assignment and taken attendance after completing that lecture. The students are aware of the resumption date. They are aware of the timetable. They knew very well that they were having a lecture of that course that very day. If they choose to stay at home and sleep, why then should we blame a lecturer for doing his job?

“If it were the students who went to the class and the lecturer did not come, the online presidents and parents would be saying that teachers are not serious with their jobs. You guys should appreciate Prof. for justifying his earnings. It’s a pointer that we still have good people in this country.”

Robert Ebidemi Ronago wrote, “He is not stup!d, he is proving a point ,there is a class and non of the student turned up…He drove to school to teach ,so it’s their problem if they are not in class.”

Kazeem Afolabi wrote, “The recording will serve as evidence in the nearest future. Because they will still come and accuse of deliberately failing them after they fail woefully in the exam.”

“If nothing serious is done urgently, this could be the best from our students in a matter of few years now. The professor made us understand that school has just resumed, but the students were yet to resume.

“Factors affecting the students could either be poor economy or the get rich syndrome that is ravaging our society today,” Ejeh Simon Onoja wrote.

Magri Sanji tweeting as #EmperorRiel on X.com wrote, “Most probably the students failed to resume. There are lecturers that resume on the first day of resumption as it should be. Some start with a test. Students will usually give themselves two extra weeks of holidays.”

#elZinoTips replied, “It’s none of his business! There’s an official resumption date! And attendance is part of the perquisite to writing quizzes and exams! All he needed to do was spend his time and file the report to his supervisor! Then his supervisors will take it up! If it was the other way around, he can be reported to his supervisor for not showing up in class without prior excuse, which can cost him his job!”

This is not the first time a Nigerian lecturer has gone viral for teaching an empty class.

In January 2023, a lecturer in the Department of General Studies at Federal Polytechnic Ilaro reportedly made headlines after recording himself teaching none of the expected students.

The incident was described as a dramatic moment as none of the HND2, Public Administration Students attended the class, and the lecturer stated in the video that the topic for the week would not be repeated.

Same month, a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, reportedly set a timed test for absent students during a lecture on Industrial Robotics, despite the complete absence of attendees.

In the video captured on TikTok, the lecturer was seen speaking after setting the 40-minute test and directed that the test answers should be submitted quickly.
(PUNCH)

News

NiMet Warns Of Flash Flooding In 19 States

Published

15 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned that 19 states across the country may experience flash flooding.

In an advisory issued yesterday, NiMet said increased surface runoff and flash flooding could occur during heavy early rains due to dry and hardened soils that prevent water from properly soaking into the ground.

The agency listed the states likely to be affected as Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, and Bayelsa.

NiMet said the possible impacts include flooded roads, traffic disruption, damage to homes, farmlands, and infrastructure, blocked drainage systems, power outages, telecommunication disruptions, and increased risks of injuries and water-borne diseases.

The agency advised residents to clear blocked drainage and stay updated with weather and flood alerts.

NiMet also cautioned motorists and pedestrians against driving or walking through flooded areas.

The agency asked relevant authorities and stakeholders to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and emergency response measures to reduce flood-related risks.

“An informed community is a prepared community. Know the risks and act early,” the advisory read.

The Federal Government had warned that 14,118 communities in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at risk of severe flooding in 2026.

The states include Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Kano.

Others are Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara, and the FCT.

Meanwhile, Nimet and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have intensified efforts to improve disaster management in the country with plans to develop a national early warning system roadmap.

The move was announced yesterday during a courtesy visit by the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, to the Director General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, at the NiMet headquarters in Abuja.

Mrs Umar applauded NiMet for the timely release of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and its consistent weather forecasts, noting that the agency had recorded significant improvements under Prof. Anosike’s leadership.

News

‘Nothing New’ – Wike Defends Houses For Judges, Dismisses NBA Criticism

Published

16 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Friday defended the construction of houses for judges and justices in Abuja, dismissing concerns that the projects could compromise the independence of the judiciary.

Wike spoke after inspecting ongoing judicial infrastructure projects, including judges’ residences, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division and proposed residential projects for judges of the Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The minister’s remarks followed criticisms reportedly raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over executive involvement in the provision of infrastructure for the judiciary.

Rejecting the concerns, Wike argued that government provision of facilities for judicial officers was neither new nor a threat to judicial autonomy.

He said: “The mere fact that the executive constructs buildings does not mean it will interfere with the judiciary.

“We have built public houses for the National Assembly and for the judiciary before. The Supreme Court was built by government. So there is nothing new in this.”

Wike accused the NBA leadership of inconsistency, alleging that the association frequently sought financial support from state governments for its conferences and activities while criticising government interventions in the judiciary.

“All they are interested in is when state governments will sponsor NBA activities. If governments fund their conferences, does that mean they are no longer independent?” he queried.

He maintained that the FCT Administration would not be distracted from implementing projects designed to improve the welfare and working conditions of judges and justices.

“This is a voluntary act by government to make judicial officers comfortable and focused on their work. It is not done to erode judicial independence,” the minister added.

Wike said the projects formed part of activities lined up to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

He expressed satisfaction with the completion level of the judges’ quarters, describing the project as well executed and nearly ready for inauguration.

“We’ve seen the judges’ quarters beautiful. I’m very elated that the job was done well. The houses are well furnished and almost 99 per cent ready,” he stated.

The minister also disclosed that preparations had begun for the groundbreaking ceremony of residences for judges of the Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

However, he expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the finishing at the Court of Appeal Abuja Division project, despite its advanced stage of completion.

“Almost 90 per cent complete, but I must say it’s not the quality I expected. I have told the contractor that several errors must be corrected before inauguration,” he said.

Wike assured that the administration would continue monitoring contractors to ensure all projects are delivered according to specification and within schedule.

“All the promises that have been made, we are going to fulfil them. That is why we are going around to inspect and ensure contractors are ready,” he added.

News

LASG Fixes Dates For Public Service Exams, Releases CBT Guidelines

Published

1 day ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Lagos State Examinations Board, has released the timetable and guidelines for the 2026 Public Service Examinations.

In a statement by the Lagos State Government, the announcement, which aligns with a prior circular from the Head of Service with Ref No: CIR/HOS/’26/005 dated January 21, 2026, sets out key instructions for candidates preparing for the exercise.

The examinations will hold between Tuesday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo, Lagos.

They include the Compulsory Examination for all cadres in the State Public Service, the Combined Confirmation/Promotion Examination for Clerical Officers II (CO II) and Clerical Assistants (CA), as well as the External Secretarial Examination.

According to the board, candidates are expected to begin printing their examination slips from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, through the official portal using their registration login details.

The slip will contain key information such as each candidate’s exam date and time.

“All candidates are required to present valid identification at the examination centre. Acceptable forms of identification include Staff Identity Cards, National Identification Number (NIN) slips, and Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) cards,” the statement said.

Candidates are also required to bring printed copies of their examination slips to the venue and must strictly follow the date and time allocated to them.

The board further advised candidates to acquaint themselves with basic computer skills ahead of the exercise, as the examinations will be conducted using a Computer-Based Test, CBT, format.

It also warned that dressing must be formal, adding that inappropriate dressing will not be allowed at the examination centre.

Candidates were urged to comply fully with all instructions to ensure a smooth and orderly process.

“The Lagos State Examinations Board urges all candidates to comply fully with these guidelines to ensure a smooth and orderly examination process,” the statement added.