A viral video is being shared with the caption that Makoko, a waterside shantytown in Lagos just produced its first graduate.
The claim is FALSE.
The 2-minute documentary from BBC Pidgin shows Ms. John Mary in a graduation gown visiting her Makoko hometown.
Mary had been interviewed and captured in a BBC report in 2018 where she vowed to be the first female presenter in the area.
The video has since attracted attention from people who were fascinated with the story following the “first graduate” caption.
The caption read, “Makoko in Lagos produce their first graduate. Making me cry…happy tears. Education, access to it…priceless.”
Members of the community who had graduated over 30 years ago had come out to debunk the claim.
Many have berated the coverage of Makoko as an impoverished community in Lagos.
Meanwhile, the documentary as shown by BBC never captured Mary as the first female first class graduate, neither did Mary refer to herself as such. WABMA team checked.
CONCLUSION The claim that BBC video shows First graduate in Makoko is FALSE.
A viral social media report claims that China plans to close its diplomatic missions in Abuja and Lagos and relocate them to Nike Lake in Enugu and World Bank Road in Owerri. The report further claims that the alleged move is because Igbo people travel to China more frequently than other Nigerians.
But is this claim true?
🔎 WABMA DEBUNKER INVESTIGATES.
In this episode, we examine the viral claim against official Chinese diplomatic records and other credible sources.
Our investigation found no credible evidence that China has announced the closure of its Embassy in Abuja or its Consulate General in Lagos. We also found no verified announcement establishing new Chinese embassies in Enugu or Owerri, or supporting the alleged ethnic explanation for the supposed relocation.
✅ VERDICT: FALSE
The viral claim is unsupported by the official records examined in this investigation. China’s diplomatic missions in Abuja and Lagos remain listed in official Chinese records.
📌 WHY THIS MATTERS
False claims about embassies, visas and international relations can cause unnecessary concern and encourage misinformation. Always check official embassy communications and foreign ministry announcements before sharing sensational reports.
A viral video claims to show a “child market” between Congo and Gabon where parents allegedly sell their children. But is this true?
In this episode of WABMA Fake News Debunker (Ep. 116), we carefully examine the footage, verify available evidence, and separate fact from fiction.
🔍 What we investigated:
The viral video and its visual details
Reports from credible international media
Data from global child-protection organizations
Any evidence of a “child market” in the Congo–Gabon region
❌ Our Verdict: FALSE There is no verified evidence that such a market exists. The viral video does not prove child trafficking and has been shared without proper context.
⚠️ Why this matters: Misinformation like this spreads fear, reinforces harmful stereotypes, and distracts from real child protection issues.
🎓 Learn Media & Fact-Checking Skills with WABMA Become a skilled media professional in just 5 weeks.