Emmanuel Alayande University Bans NeoLife Activities Over Alleged Student Exploitation

The management of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (EAUED), Oyo, has taken decisive action against the operations of NeoLife on its campus, banning the organization and its activities with immediate effect. In a memo released by the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Wale Akinlabi, the university described the group's practices as "humiliating" and detrimental to the academic progress and well-being of the student body. This proscription follows a series of complaints and investigations into the recruitment tactics employed by student members of the multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme, which the administration labelled as “illegal.”

According to the memo titled "Proscription of Students' Involvement in NeoLife Illegal Activities and Recruitment of Fellow Students," the university has observed a disturbing trend where students are coerced, harassed, or deceived into joining the network. The management noted that the organization's modus operandi involves recruiting students to buy expensive wellness products and drugs, often at costs exceeding one hundred thousand naira, under the guise of business partnership. The pressure to recruit others to "step up" in the business hierarchy has reportedly turned the campus into a hunting ground, with students distracting their peers from their primary academic objectives.

The university's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wale Adeoye, confirmed the ban, reiterating that the administration is committed to protecting students from exploitation. The memo highlighted that students who have attempted to exit the organization have faced "harassment and torment" from current members, creating a hostile environment on campus. To curb this, the university has issued a strict deadline of January 30, 2026, for all student members to resign their membership. The management warned that spies would be deployed to identify non-compliant students, and those found recruiting or participating in NeoLife activities after the deadline would face severe disciplinary sanctions.

Students have reacted to the ban with mixed feelings, though many confirmed the aggressive nature of the recruitment drives. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, some students described the recruiters as people with "sugarcoated mouths" who use persuasive but often misleading narratives to lure victims. One student explained that the scheme often partners with a group called "Faith Heroic Generation" (FHG), which ostensibly teaches tech skills but funnels earnings back into purchasing NeoLife point values (PV). This cycle effectively traps students in a loop of spending to maintain their status within the MLM structure, often at the expense of their education and financial stability.

The "sugarcoated" rhetoric often promises financial independence and rapid wealth, playing on the vulnerabilities of students facing economic hardships. However, the reality described by victims is one of high-pressure sales and mandatory recruitment. "Sometimes they use the drugs themselves because they can't sell them," one source revealed, shedding light on the financial burden placed on young recruits. The promise of commissions is dependent on a continuous chain of recruitment, forcing students to prioritize finding new "downlines" over their studies.

In a bid to support those wishing to leave the organization, the university has offered an amnesty window. The Dean of Student Affairs urged students who are currently involved but wish to quit to approach the Student Affairs Division for assistance without fear of punishment, provided they do so before the deadline. This "life-saving opportunity," as the university termed it, is designed to help students disentangle themselves from the organization's grip and refocus on their academic pursuits. The administration has made it clear that after January 30, there will be zero tolerance for any NeoLife-related activities on campus.

The ban at EAUED reflects a growing concern among higher education institutions in Nigeria regarding the proliferation of unregulated MLM schemes on campuses. These organizations often target students, who are seen as an easily accessible demographic for recruitment. By proscribing NeoLife, EAUED is sending a strong signal that the university environment is meant for learning and personal development, not for predatory commercial exploitation. The coming weeks will determine the effectiveness of the ban and whether the "sugarcoated" recruitment tactics will finally be silenced within the university's walls.