Excel College, located in Ejigbo, Lagos State, has confirmed two incidents recently captured in a viral video showing former students engaging in smoking and drinking activities within the school hostel. The institution, however, clarified the circumstances surrounding the events and outlined disciplinary measures it has taken.
In a statement released on Saturday and signed by the director, Dr. Dele Oke, the school explained that the first incident took place on May 11 when a parent visited to celebrate her son’s final birthday in secondary school. She brought along non-alcoholic wine and snacks, and the moment was filmed on her phone before later being circulated in a WhatsApp group.
The second occurrence, according to the school, happened in April 2025 during Holiday Extension Classes. Some recently graduated SS3 students were caught experimenting with smoking in a playful activity they described as “pass and puff.”
Following an investigation, the school management expelled the involved students from the hostel and barred them from participating in the 2025 graduation ceremony. However, they were later permitted to sit for the NECO examinations after showing remorse and signing undertakings alongside their parents.
The statement added that housemasters responsible for supervision were issued stern warning letters and had their allowances withheld for negligence.
To curb similar incidents in the future, the school revealed that it had relocated the SS3 reading room to a more open and accessible space, improved staff supervision, and strengthened counselling sessions. It also reinforced rules on visiting hours to ensure better monitoring.
Excel College noted that it has been cooperating with inquiries from the Lagos State Government, the Ministries of Education and Youth & Social Development, as well as the Lagos State Police Command, by submitting all relevant documents and witness accounts.
Providing further details, the statement read: “A parent, who arrived at about 7 p.m., pleaded to see her son as it was his last birthday in Secondary School. She brought non-alcoholic wine and snacks, and her phone was used to record her son and friends popping and drinking the wine. The video was later shared in a WhatsApp group.”
On the second incident, it stated: “During the April 2025 Holiday Extension Classes, some recently graduated SS3 students were seen experimenting with smoking in a game called ‘pass and puff.’ Phones are generally banned in the school, but SS3 students in the hostel were occasionally permitted to check updates about their UTME centres.”
Oke explained that after the internal probe confirmed the incidents occurred on hostel premises, the school issued strict warning letters to housemasters for failing in their duties and ordered the forfeiture of their termly allowance.
The statement continued: “The implicated students were expelled from the hostel and barred from the 2025 graduation ceremony but were later allowed to sit for NECO exams after expressing regret and with signed undertakings from their parents.”
According to the management, ahead of the 2025/2026 academic session, structural adjustments were made within the hostels. These include relocating the SS3 reading room to a more transparent area, intensifying monitoring by teachers and housemasters, enforcing visiting hours, and increasing access to counselling sessions to help students deal with peer pressure and bullying.
Excel College also confirmed that it has provided authorities with all documents, including expulsion and warning letters. Parents of the affected students, some of the students themselves, and representatives of the PTA have also been available to clarify issues and offer information to ensure transparency.
Dr. Oke concluded: “We understand the concerns of Nigerians regarding this matter and reaffirm our commitment to uphold excellence with integrity, not only in our words but in our actions.”
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