NIGERIAN authorities have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against large-scale educational fraud and financial scams targeting university students. Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested three key suspects, Olaniyan Joshua, Oyetunde Julius Akano, and Victor Oluwale, in Abuja on May 1, 2025, for their roles in an elaborate scheme that defrauded students of hundreds of millions of naira.
Operating under the company name Mighty Infinity Millionaire Limited, the suspects falsely claimed to represent Q-net, a global e-commerce and direct selling company. Q-net has publicly denied any association with the suspects or their activities. The investigation revealed that the trio went further, establishing a fake university operation. They conducted classes in makeshift venues-pavilions and even under trees-offering fraudulent Bachelor of Science degrees in fields such as Medicine, Nursing, Cybersecurity, Computer Studies, and Geology. To bolster their credibility, they falsely claimed affiliation with Quest International University, Malaysia.
Student victims, lured by the promise of legitimate degrees and international affiliations, were charged between N1.2 million and N1.3 million as registration fees. The suspected scammers amassed hundreds of millions of naira in proceeds from these activities, preying on the aspirations of young Nigerians seeking higher education and better career prospects.
The arrests on May 1 followed an earlier major raid on March 24, 2025, when the EFCC stormed the so-called “Q-net University” at Compensation Layout in Gwagwalada, Abuja. During that operation, 133 suspects were apprehended in connection with the fraudulent academy, which had been recruiting young Nigerians with promises of unrealistic profit returns and fake academic credentials.
This case exposes the growing sophistication of scams targeting Nigeria’s youth, particularly those desperate for educational advancement. It also highlights the importance of vigilance by authorities and the public, as well as the need for robust verification of academic institutions and their affiliations.
The EFCC’s swift action and ongoing investigations send a strong message to fraudsters and offer hope to victims seeking justice. The Commission has reiterated its commitment to dismantling such criminal enterprises and protecting the interests of Nigerian students and families.
“Investigations further revealed that the suspects were equally running a fraudulent university training in pavilions and under trees, offering fake Bachelor of Science degrees…with a false claim of affiliation with Quest International University, Malaysia.”
As the suspects undergo interrogation and the legal process unfolds, the case stands as a stark warning about the dangers of unverified educational schemes and the relentless efforts of authorities to bring perpetrators to justice.
