Flood exposes cracks in school registration system.
By Fisayo Ogunsakin with agency reports
In an unfortunate incident, a 12-year-old boy, Nathan Paul Spencer, lost his life in a tragic flood while on his way to sit for his First School Leaving Certificate Examination in Benin City, Edo State.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, July 5, 2025, along the Uselu-Ugbowo Road during a heavy downpour, has shaken the local community and sparked outrage over the negligence of the school authorities involved.
Nathan, a pupil of Future Leaders Academy in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, was reportedly registered by his school to write the examination at Liberty Secondary School in Egor Local Government, several kilometers from his home. His parents were never informed of the change in venue.
According to findings by the Edo State Ministry of Education, the school had collected the registration fee from Nathan’s parents and, without their knowledge or consent, arranged for the child to be taken to the distant centre to write the exam. The tragedy struck while he was being escorted through floodwaters when he fell into a gutter and drowned.
Eyewitnesses recorded the heartbreaking aftermath in a viral video showing a man carrying the lifeless body of the boy on his shoulder, as shocked onlookers urged him to get to a hospital. Some blamed the parents, not knowing the full extent of the school’s involvement.
The Edo State Government has responded swiftly. The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, who led a condolence visit to the grieving family, confirmed that the licenses of two schools have been withdrawn in connection with Nathan’s death. He also revealed that the Head of Future Leaders Academy had been arrested and is currently in police custody.
“An investigation revealed that the management of the pupil’s school had registered him to write the examination at another school without informing his parents,” Iyamu said. “The head of the school collected money from the parents and irresponsibly transported the boy to a different location, which eventually led to this avoidable tragedy.”
Dr. Iyamu, who spoke on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo, conveyed the governor’s deep sorrow over the incident and his assurance that justice will be served. “The governor is deeply touched. We are committed to holding those responsible accountable. This is not just negligence, but a grave failure of duty and care.”
In addition to the sanctions over Nathan’s death, the state government has also shut down two other schools accused of illegally collecting fees from over 200 pupils without authorisation from the ministry. These schools allegedly diverted funds away from the official state revenue channels and exposed the children to unnecessary hardship. Iyamu said the pupils were left stranded in the rain until officials from the ministry intervened.
Iyamu advised all parents to be more vigilant and proactive in ensuring their children’s safety, to avoid leaving them in the hands of miscreants masquerading as school owners.
At the family’s residence, Mr. Paul Spencer, Nathan’s father, spoke through tears. He said he was never informed that his son was to write the examination in another local government area.
“If I had known, I would never have allowed it. I am heartbroken. He left home that morning, full of life, and never came back”, he said.
Despite his immense grief, Mr. Spencer expressed gratitude to the state government for visiting and showing concern during their time of sorrow.
As Edo State continues to endure seasonal downpours and flooding, Nathan’s death stands as a grim reminder of the dangers children face when institutions meant to protect and guide them instead endanger their lives through carelessness and greed.
The state government has promised a thorough investigation and firm actions to ensure such a tragedy never repeats itself.
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