Secrets Reporters
A customer’s attempt to enroll in a cybersecurity program at HiiT Training Institute in Abuja has turned into a frustrating battle for justice after the institution allegedly ignored a court order and refused to refund his money.
Usman El-Kabir Shaibu, who paid ₦105,000 as part of a ₦400,000 tuition fee for the program, claims he was denied access to the training after being transferred out of Abuja for work on the day his classes were supposed to begin.
Shaibu, seeking to gain cybersecurity skills, had made an advance payment at HiiT’s Abuja training center, where the receptionist reportedly confirmed receipt of the funds. However, he was not issued a receipt or any formal documentation acknowledging his payment. This oversight would later become a critical obstacle when he attempted to recover his money.
After realizing that he could no longer participate in the program due to work obligations, Shaibu reached out to HiiT Abuja, requesting either a refund or an alternative arrangement. His efforts were met with silence. Left with no option, he pursued legal action, serving the institution with a court order through WhatsApp, as he was unable to deliver it in person due to work constraints. The court order was confirmed as delivered, yet HiiT Abuja has neither responded nor taken any action.
HiiT PLC, the parent company, claims to have built a reputation as a leader in ICT training in Nigeria, boasting of over 70,000 graduates across its training centers in the past 28 years. With a presence nationwide and a transition to online training services following the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said it has positioned itself as a premier ICT education provider. However, Shaibu’s experience raises concerns about the transparency of its business practices, particularly in handling customer grievances.
The refusal to refund Shaibu’s money, despite the absence of formal documentation tying him to the program, raises questions about whether the institution deliberately avoids issuing receipts to prevent refund claims. The situation also highlights the broader issue of consumer protection in Nigeria’s private education sector, where students and professionals invest heavily in upskilling programs, often without sufficient safeguards against exploitation.
While some institutions enforce strict “no refund” policies, the failure of HiiT Abuja to communicate or acknowledge a court order adds to the controversy. It remains unclear whether the decision to ignore Shaibu’s complaint is a matter of institutional policy or a deliberate refusal to engage with dissatisfied customers.
As Nigeria continues to push for digital transformation and professional development in ICT, cases like Shaibu’s reveals the need for stronger regulations to protect learners from potential financial losses. For now, he remains in limbo, with neither his training nor his money, while HiiT Abuja remains silent in the face of legal action.