The Lecturer Who Didn’t Make First Class and Made Sure I Didn’t Too
Barr. Maruf Muhammed shared a painful memory from his undergraduate days:
“At 400 level, I had to choose between Energy Law and International Law. Both were 4-unit courses, and I was on a 4.40 CGPA, hoping to push it to 4.50 for a First Class. Seniors warned us to choose courses not by interest, but by the chances of getting an A.
My HOD advised me to go for International Law because another lecturer once gave a student a B in Energy Law, which ruined her First Class dream (she graduated with 4.48). I didn’t want that to be me, so I chose International Law.
When the results came out in 500 level, I saw 69B. I had 21 in test and 48 in exam. I rushed to the lecturer’s office.
‘Sir, please round it up to 70 as the Senate rules allow,’ I begged.
He asked for my CGPA, and I told him: 4.40.
He simply said, ‘I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do.’
I knelt and pleaded. He snapped: ‘Will you leave my office? Don’t be silly.’
The HOD later asked him to round it up, but he refused, saying, ‘I didn’t graduate with First Class, why should he?’
He was later forced to add the 1 mark.
But I had already registered for another course under him. He gave me 54C and 62B. In the end, my CGPA was 4.48.
When I submitted my transcript for postgraduate studies, the Dean asked, ‘What happened? Did you offend your university?’
This is just one of many toxic lecturer experiences I had. But this one, I’ll never forget.”
