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A traditional ruler in Rivers State, Mene Nule, has offered his account of a controversial initiative involving female students at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, following allegations that girls were subjected to virginity checks.
The monarch, who rules Taabaa community in Khana Local Government Area, said his involvement with the school dates back several years and was driven by his desire to support education and discourage what he considered inappropriate relationships between teachers and students.
Nule explained that he introduced a practice he described as a “virginity roll call” in 2020 after receiving complaints about alleged sexual misconduct involving teachers and female students. He said the exercise involved asking girls who regarded themselves as virgins to identify themselves during his visits to the school.
The traditional ruler denied taking any student to a hospital or medical facility for a virginity examination. He maintained that his intention was to encourage the girls to remain focused on their education and avoid early sexual activity.
He also defended his longstanding contributions to the institution, saying he began assisting the school in 2004 by supplying chalk. His support, according to him, later extended to exercise books, school bags and other learning materials.
Nule further disclosed that four students who declared themselves virgins received ₦20,000 each in 2025. He rejected suggestions that his actions were intended to harm the students, describing the allegations against him as an attempt to tarnish his image.
However, the school management has presented a different account. In a complaint dated October 12 and addressed to the Rivers State Ministry of Education, the authorities alleged that the monarch and members of his council had repeatedly visited the school to identify female students for virginity testing, reportedly linking the exercise to the distribution of scholarships and educational materials.
The complaint also raised concerns about other activities allegedly involving the students and the school’s farm. The matter subsequently attracted the attention of the state government.
In response, the Ministry of Education expressed concern over the allegations in a statement issued on October 22 and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Mina Tele Ikuru. The ministry emphasised the need to safeguard students’ dignity, privacy and fundamental rights.
The government is expected to investigate the competing accounts and determine the appropriate response to the allegations.
