The allegations are contained in an investigative report by TheCable, which examined Sanda’s claimed academic background and contacted some of the institutions associated with the qualifications.
Sanda, who became EKEDC’s Managing Director in March 2022, was removed from the position in March 2024 before her employment with the company’s parent firm, West Power and Gas (WPG) Limited, was subsequently terminated.
Her appointment as EKEDC’s MD made her the third woman to occupy the position, following Funke Osibodu of Benin Electricity Distribution Company and Folake Soetan of Ikeja Electric.
How The Controversy Emerged
According to TheCable, an internal investigation into Sanda’s educational background was launched about two years after her appointment.
Her recall from EKEDC was announced by the company’s Board Chairman, Dere Otubu, on March 25, 2024, following a decision involving the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Sanda, alongside other WPG employees, was subsequently recalled to the parent company.
In a letter dated April 17, 2024, WPG informed her that her employment had been terminated.
“We hereby advise you that your services are no longer required and accordingly your employment with WPG Ltd is hereby terminated effective April 17, 2024, in accordance with clause 10.2 of the Contract,” the letter stated.
The company also informed her that she was entitled to three months’ salary in lieu of notice, adding that the amount had been credited to her account.
Questions Over Claimed PhD
One of the qualifications examined in the report is a PhD which Sanda had publicly attributed to an institution in the Benin Republic.
Her LinkedIn profile reportedly stated that she obtained a PhD in Financial Management and Entrepreneurship from “University Management Science and Technology, Benin Republic.”
In an earlier interview with Punch, Sanda reportedly described the institution as Icon University of Management Science and Technology, Benin Republic, and said she obtained the qualification in December 2020.
TheCable subsequently investigated the institution and reported that its website was no longer active, with the domain having expired.
An Instagram account associated with the institution remained online and appeared to advertise programmes to prospective students, including Nigerians.
The report further noted that the institution advertised bachelor’s degree programmes that could be completed in three years and did not require UTME results for admission, according to the information reviewed by the publication.
What Archived Records Show
To examine information that had previously appeared on the university’s website, TheCable reportedly used the Wayback Machine, an internet archive that stores previous versions of webpages.
According to the archived material cited in the report, the institution claimed to have an authorisation number from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Republic of Benin.
It also reportedly claimed recognition by Nigeria’s Ministry of Higher Education.
However, TheCable said it found no record of the institution among universities listed as accredited by Nigeria’s National Universities Commission (NUC).
The publication said it contacted the NUC for clarification but had received no response at the time of publication.
The report also examined an alleged list of the institution’s management team and said it could not independently establish the academic credentials or digital presence of several individuals listed there.
Harvard Business School Qualification Questioned
Another major issue raised in the investigation concerns Sanda’s previously stated Harvard Business School qualification.
Her LinkedIn profile had reportedly described her as having obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science from Harvard Business School.
TheCable contacted Harvard Business School to verify the claim.
In its response, the institution reportedly confirmed that Sanda participated in one of its Executive Education programmes in 2015.
According to the school, she attended a three-day programme titled “Strategic Financial Analysis for Business Evaluation” between March 29 and April 1, 2015.
Harvard Business School said she received a Certificate of Attendance for the programme.
The institution also clarified that its Executive Education programmes are non-degree programmes and that certificates of attendance do not confer degrees or alumni status.
Following Sanda’s departure from EKEDC and WPG, some of the qualifications previously displayed on her LinkedIn profile were reportedly changed.
For example, the reference to Harvard Business School was changed to Harvard Business School Executive Education, while the University of Edinburgh entry was changed to Heriot-Watt University.
University Of Edinburgh Also Contacted
TheCable also investigated Sanda’s claimed connection with the University of Edinburgh Business School.
The publication contacted the institution, and David McGregor, a digital communications officer at the University of Edinburgh, reportedly said Sanda did not attend the institution and suggested that enquiries be directed to Heriot-Watt University.
When contacted by TheCable, Heriot-Watt University did not confirm or deny Sanda’s attendance.
The institution reportedly cited data-protection requirements in its response, stating that it could not release personal information.
Questions Over Professional Memberships
The investigation also examined Sanda’s reported professional affiliations.
She had reportedly described herself as a certified member of the Institute of Management Consultants in the United States and an associate of the Institute of Professional Financial Managers in the United Kingdom.
TheCable said it checked the published membership directories of both organisations but did not find Sanda’s name.
The publication subsequently contacted the two organisations for clarification but said it had received no response more than a week after sending its enquiries.
Sanda’s Educational Background Under Scrutiny
The findings have placed renewed attention on the qualifications previously associated with Sanda’s professional profile.
While Harvard Business School confirmed her participation in an Executive Education programme, the institution made clear that the programme was non-degree and that the certificate issued did not constitute an academic degree.
Questions also remain around the other qualifications examined by TheCable, particularly the reported PhD from the Benin Republic and the earlier University of Edinburgh listing.
The controversy comes after Sanda’s removal as EKEDC Managing Director and the subsequent termination of her employment with WPG.
As of the time of the report cited in this story, TheCable said it had not received responses from some of the institutions and professional bodies contacted for further clarification.
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