Excel College, Ejigbo, has addressed a viral video showing ex-students drinking wine and smoking in the school hostel. The school confirmed the incidents but clarified the circumstances and outlined the actions taken.

Following the video’s circulation in September, the Lagos State Government, through the Ministries of Education and Youth & Social Development, and the Lagos State Police Command, had begun an investigation into the incident.

In a statement signed by the director of the school, Dr. Dele Oke and made available to PUNCH Online on Saturday, the college said, “While we confirm that these incidents happened in the school hostel, the facts are stated below.”

The first video, according to the school, occurred on May 11 when a parent brought non-alcoholic wine and snacks to celebrate her son’s last birthday in secondary school.

“A parent, who arrived about 7pm, pleaded to be granted access to her son as it was his last birthday to be celebrated in Secondary School. The parent brought non-alcoholic wine and snacks, and her phone was used to make a recording of her son and his friends popping and drinking the wine,” the statement said.

The school stated that the video was later shared in a class WhatsApp group.

The second incident happened in April 2025 during Holiday Extension Classes for recently graduated SS3 students. Some students were seen experimenting with smoking in a game called “pass and puff.”

The school explained, “While phones are banned in the school, SS3 students in the hostel were permitted to intermittently have access to their phones to check updates about their UTME centres.”

However, a concerned parent who came across the video reported it to the school in June.

Police probe viral video of students smoking, drinking in Lagos school

Excel College acted immediately. Both students and Housemasters were questioned.

“Upon conclusion of this internal investigation, which ascertained that indeed the incident occurred in the hostel premises, the Housemasters were issued stringent warning letters for dereliction of duty and forfeiture of their termly allowance,” the school said.

The students were expelled from the hostel and barred from the 2025 graduation ceremony. They were however, later allowed back to sit for the NECO exams after expressing regret and with signed parental undertakings.

The school also stated that it implemented reforms to prevent future incidents. It relocated the SS3 reading room to a more open area and increased staff monitoring, counselling sessions, and adherence to visiting hours.

“Ahead of resumption for the 2025/2026 session, the Management of Excel College made some structural changes within the hostels, such as relocating the SS3 reading room to a more accessible and open area within the hostel.

“Management also held several meetings with teachers, counsellors, and particularly the Housemasters and mistresses to increase the frequency of walk rounds, increase surveillance against bullying and peer pressure, ensure strict adherence to visiting hours, and improve access to counselling sessions,” the statement said.

Regarding government investigations, Excel College said it is fully cooperating.

“All documentary evidence, including the expulsion and warning letters issued to the students, has been submitted to the authorities. The parents of the implicated ex-students, some of the ex-students themselves, and representatives of the PTA Executives of Excel College have also been available to provide clarity and further information as required to ensure full transparency,” the statement added.

Oke said, “We acknowledge the concerns of Nigerians in this matter and remain resolute in our commitment to maintain excellence with integrity, both in words and actions.” (The PUNCH, but headline rejigged)