The Rivers State Government has opened an investigation into allegations that female students at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, were selected for virginity examinations linked to a scholarship initiative involving their community’s traditional ruler.

The controversy centres on Mene M.S.K. Nule, the traditional ruler of Taabaa in Khana Local Government Area, who denies taking students for physical examinations but acknowledges organising classroom exercises in which girls were asked to identify themselves as virgins.

The matter came to public attention after the school’s management raised concerns with the state Ministry of Education. In a petition, the school alleged that the ruler and members of his council had visited the premises over several years, collecting information about female students in connection with scholarships and the distribution of exercise books.

The reported incident occurred on September 17, 2026, when 16 students were allegedly selected for the exercise. Their objections reportedly led to a protest, prompting the state government to begin investigating the circumstances surrounding the visit.

The Ministry of Education condemned the allegations in a statement issued on October 22, describing them as a serious concern involving the privacy, dignity and fundamental rights of schoolchildren. It also warned that educational assistance must not be tied to practices that could expose students to coercion or humiliation.

Responding to the accusations, Nule said his involvement with the school dates back to 2004, when he began donating educational materials while still at university. He said his support later expanded to include books and school bags.

According to the monarch, he introduced the so-called “virginity roll call” in 2020 after receiving reports that some teachers were allegedly molesting female students. He said the exercise was intended to discourage early sexual activity and encourage the girls to concentrate on their education.

Nule maintained that he had never taken any student to a hospital or health centre for a physical virginity examination. He described the allegations against him as an attempt by opponents to damage his reputation.

He also disclosed that students who identified themselves as virgins received financial rewards, saying one girl participated in 2020, while four reportedly did so in 2025. He said the students were previously given ₦20,000 each.

However, the school’s allegations extend beyond the classroom roll calls, with the petition raising concerns about the proposed examinations and the conditions surrounding the scholarship arrangement.

Reports also indicate that some students refused to visit a school matron for the alleged verification process. Claims that physical examinations had taken place have been attributed to accounts surrounding the incident, but the available reports do not establish that such examinations were conducted.

The controversy has drawn attention to the protection of students in public schools and the need to ensure that cultural practices or charitable programmes do not compromise their rights.

The Rivers State Ministry of Education said investigations would establish the facts and determine whether anyone should face further action. The outcome of the probe had not been announced in the reports reviewed.

SOURCES: NEWS CENTRAL TV