The Rivers state government has condemned the forced virginity testing of female students at a public school in Khana LGA of the State.
Peters Nwagor, the Commissioner for Education, said the state has begun an investigation after a protest broke out when a group visited Government Comprehensive High School in Taabaa on September 17, 2026, under the guise of offering scholarships and exercise books.
Nwagor said the group, comprising community members, allegedly selected 16 female students for the exercise, which the students widely resisted, sparking protests at the school.
“The Rivers State Ministry of Education strongly condemns reports of alleged forced virginity testing of female students of Government Comprehensive High School (Senior Secondary), Taabaa, in Khana Local Government Area, allegedly involving members of a traditional institution in the community,” the statement reads.
“According to the report received by the Ministry, persons claiming to act on behalf of that institution visited the school to select female students for virginity testing under the guise of offering scholarships and exercise books.”
The commissioner further described the allegations as “extremely serious and disturbing”, saying that no individual, traditional institution, community body or private organisation had the authority to subject students to virginity testing or any other form of abuse.
“Educational assistance, including scholarships and exercise books, must be provided transparently and without conditions that compromise the safety, dignity or rights of beneficiaries,” he said.
“The Ministry has commenced an investigation into the report to establish the facts, and will take all appropriate action, including referral to the relevant authorities, against any person or body found to have been involved.”
The commissioner cautioned traditional institutions, community bodies and other individuals against selecting, examining or testing female students for virginity, either directly or indirectly.
He said the ministry has directed all schools in the state to uphold child protection standards and ensure no student is subjected to degrading, coercive, or invasive practices under the guise of cultural tradition, scholarship programmes, disciplinary measures, or community development initiatives.
He assured students, their parents and guardians, and the wider school community that they were taking their concerns seriously.
“The position of the Rivers State Ministry of Education is unequivocal: the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of every student must be protected at all times,” he added.