NeoLife Under Fire as FUTA Biochemistry Students Fail SIWES, Sparking Fresh Outcry Over Alleged Campus Recruitment Scam

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NeoLife has come under intense public scrutiny after reports emerged that two Biochemistry students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), failed their Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) following their industrial training with the organisation, triggering a fresh wave of allegations about deceptive recruitment practices targeting Nigerian youths.

The students, identified as Olayinka Arebisola and Emmanuel Ariyo, were reportedly instructed to repeat a 15-unit SIWES course, a setback that effectively adds an extra academic year to their programme.

According to accounts from students familiar with the presentation, SIWES assessors rejected the work after the interns attempted to justify their training as “health awareness” activities linked to NeoLife.

One supervisor was quoted as bluntly stating, “This is not IT,” before asking them to conclude their presentation.

The incident has reignited long-standing debates around NeoLife, also known as GNLD, an organisation that has repeatedly trended on Nigerian social media platforms over accusations of operating a pyramid-style recruitment system. Critics argue that the group disguises its operations as employment opportunities, often through handwritten or painted job adverts promising ushering or casual work.

Individuals who respond to these adverts allege they are invited for interviews, only to be told the positions are unavailable and then introduced to NeoLife as an alternative path to wealth and international travel through the sale of supplements.

Former participants and online commentators describe the model as heavily reliant on recruitment, commonly introduced with the phrase, “All you need to do is bring two people.” While NeoLife maintains that it is a legitimate wellness and direct-sales company, many Nigerians liken its structure to a Ponzi-style scheme where participants invest time, money, and personal networks with little guaranteed return.

More troubling allegations have also resurfaced. Several individuals claim the organisation operates with cult-like control, making it difficult for members to leave. Social media testimonies allege harassment and intimidation of those who attempt to disengage, including claims—yet to be independently verified—of the involvement of local security operatives. Others recount experiences of being subjected to psychological pressure, unorthodox training methods, and public humiliation in the name of discipline and motivation.

One widely shared account described how a young woman was allegedly pressured to abandon her education and meet daily sales targets, resorting to begging for transport fares and trekking long distances late at night. Other testimonies claim that some participants are required to hand over their earnings to their “sponsors” for safekeeping until the money supposedly “matures.”

The controversy has raised concerns about the increasing presence of such organisations on university campuses, where seminars are reportedly held under the banner of entrepreneurship and empowerment. Critics warn that these programs often prey on students’ fears of unemployment and poverty, diverting them from their academic focus. There are also unverified claims circulating online that recruitment efforts have extended to secondary school students.

NeoLife representatives have previously denied accusations of fraud or coercion, insisting that the organisation has rebranded and now focuses on skill empowerment and personal development. However, public skepticism remains high, with many Nigerians pointing to past media reports and viral testimonies detailing similar experiences over the years.

The FUTA SIWES incident has intensified calls for university authorities, professional bodies, and regulatory agencies to more closely scrutinize organisations offering industrial training placements or job opportunities to students. As the debate continues to trend online, many students are urging their peers to exercise caution and verify opportunities carefully, warning that offers which begin with vague job adverts and end with recruitment quotas should be treated as red flags.

As of the time of filing this report, NeoLife has not issued an official response addressing the SIWES failure involving the FUTA students.