Professor Lectures Empty Class, Ignites Viral Debate Over Student Attitude

Professor Lectures Empty Class, Ignites Viral Debate Over Student Attitude

Professor lectures empty class—and the internet can’t stop talking about it. The unusual scene unfolded at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, when a professor from the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education walked into a lecture hall only to find no students present. But instead of walking away, he did something no one expected—he taught anyway.

Standing in front of empty chairs, he launched into his lecture as though the room was full. He even recorded himself doing it. That video, since posted online, has gone viral, stirring outrage, support, mockery, and concern across Nigeria’s social media space.

In the video, the lecturer says, “Today, we have started our course program for the semester but unfortunately, the students are yet to be seen.

“But I’m happy that Dr Sunday Jonathan who is the course student’s advisor for the department and the quality assurance director for the department as well is around and is witnessing the empty class.

“All the same, I feel I should be around to register my presence.”

His quiet commitment instantly sparked a national debate about discipline in Nigerian universities, professionalism among lecturers, and the rising tension between teachers and students in today’s learning environment.

Some saw his action as noble—a demonstration of integrity and duty. Others saw it as bizarre, suggesting something might have gone wrong with scheduling or communication. Some even feared for his mental health.

On X.com, reactions flew in from all corners. Olayemi, tweeting as #Impregnabilis, suggested, “Something is not right, there has to be a miscommunication somewhere which was why nobody showed up. Even if the whole class agrees not to come, there will always be Judas Iscariot that gets to the class first.”

He was joined by another user, #ishkao1, who noted, “There’s definitely a miscommunication. Something is not just right. Everyone can’t be absent from class completely. Nigerian lecturers do the most.”

For former university staff like #Olaadewale2324, who identified himself as a former lecturer, the act raised red flags. “I was a university lecturer. I see this as funny and unreasonable. This professor may have miscommunicated the lecture schedule to the students through their rep,” he said.

He added that lecturers now go the extra mile for social media fame, suggesting that the act may have been staged for content. “Many people now use content to chase clout on social media. This is one of them.”

But others believed the professor’s actions were nothing short of heroic. To them, his presence was proof of a lost value: showing up no matter what.

Őké-Belgium (#ChukwunyeluOrji) wrote, “In a sane society, this man should be more concerned at the well-being of his students. If they are all ok, why is no one attending his class that day?”

#Bukky0fficial1 didn’t hold back. “Teaching an empty class as if students were present suggests a serious psychological concern. Such behavior raises red flags about the individual’s mental state,” she tweeted.

She went on to say that in any other country, a behavior like this would prompt psychological evaluation—not go viral without consequences.

#Tolutronics agreed. “The university authority needs to check the psychological state of this lecturer asap,” he said.

But defending the lecturer, Lawal Mu’azu-Obah took to Facebook and wrote, “I am surprised that instead of blaming the students for not attending the class, some people are saying negative things about the lecturer… Why are you throwing blames at a lecturer who has taken his job seriously?”

Lawal argued that the blame lies entirely with the students. “They knew very well that they were having a lecture of that course that very day. If they choose to stay at home and sleep, why then should we blame a lecturer for doing his job?”

Echoing this view, Robert Ebidemi Ronago said the professor was proving a point. “He is not stupid, he is proving a point. There is a class and none of the students turned up. So, he made a record of that day.”

Kazeem Afolabi noted that the professor now has documentation. “This video could be helpful later when students complain about grading or class attendance.”

Another user, Ejeh Simon Onoja, suggested the incident reflects a larger problem. “If nothing serious is done urgently, this could be the best from our students in a matter of a few years now. The professor made us understand that school has just resumed, but the students were yet to resume.”

According to him, economic hardship and a declining focus on academics are pulling students away from the classroom.

Magri Sanji (#EmperorRiel) supported the professor too. “Most probably the students failed to resume. There are lecturers that resume on the first day of resumption as it should be. Some start with a test. Students will usually give themselves two extra weeks of holidays.”

#elZinoTips said it was right for the lecturer to teach, even with no one there. “It’s none of his business! There’s an official resumption date! And attendance is part of the marks!”

The debate rages on. Some Nigerians believe that the professor deserves applause for holding students accountable. Others think the video reflects poor coordination, outdated attitudes, or deeper issues in Nigeria’s higher education system.

But one thing is certain: professor lectures empty class is more than a strange headline—it’s a conversation starter about commitment, communication, and classroom culture.

As this story continues to trend, universities may soon face growing pressure to bridge the gap between lecturer expectations and student behavior. Whether through better communication, stricter enforcement of attendance rules, or mental health support for staff, the message is clear: Nigerian classrooms need more than chalk and talk—they need structure, clarity, and care.

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