Canada directs Nigerian student to leave country over fake admission letter

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has instructed Nigerian student Lola Akinlade to exit the country due to the use of a counterfeit admission letter in her study visa and work permit application.

Akinlade, who earned a diploma in Social Services from Nova Scotia Community College in 2019, recounted her distressing journey to CBC News.

She was unaware that the acceptance letter she received from an agent for the University of Regina in 2016 was fraudulent until she was notified by IRCC shortly before graduating from her new institution.

The mother of two described her emotions of relief and dread upon receiving her diploma, realizing that her study permit had been obtained through a false document. “It was devastating. That was the start of my trauma,” she said.

In her interview with CBC, Akinlade requested a review of her case, explaining that she had been deceived by a “rogue agent” who provided the fake letter. “Please reassess my case. I just want this to be resolved,” she pleaded.

Akinlade’s journey began in 2015 while working as a medical sales representative in Lagos with a business administration degree from a Nigerian university. She met an individual who claimed to be an immigration consultant and offered to help her apply for a master’s degree in Canada.

She provided the consultant with her passport, university transcripts, and payment, but later received a study permit, plane tickets, and a purported acceptance letter from the University of Regina. Upon arriving in Canada in late 2016, she was informed by the agent of a waitlist situation at the university, leading her to seek admission elsewhere.

She eventually enrolled at Nova Scotia Community College in September 2017, choosing a social services program that aligned with her medical background. It wasn’t until two years later, after receiving a notification from IRCC, that Akinlade realized the acceptance letter was fraudulent.

In response, Akinlade reached out to the University of Regina and confirmed the document’s falsity. The agent responsible, Babatunde Isiaq Adegoke, admitted providing the letter but claimed it was issued by Success Academy Education Consult in Lagos. Adegoke denied informing Akinlade of any waitlist at the university.

Akinlade’s study permit was revoked, and her attempts to secure a postgraduate work permit and temporary resident permit were denied. In March 2023, IRCC communicated that it was believed Akinlade knew the document was fraudulent.

Akinlade’s family, including her husband Samson and their two children, has faced additional challenges.

Their temporary resident status was lost, and their Canadian-born son lacks medical coverage due to the family’s status.

“We’ve been living off our savings, and I don’t know how much longer we can manage,” she lamented.