Former Students Of Lagos Fashion School, GMYT, Lament Facing Oppression, Threats During Their Time There

Some past students of GMYT Fashion School in Lagos State have revealed that they faced a series of oppression and threats during their time at the school.

This comes barely 24 hours after SaharaReporters published a report detailing how some students of the school accused the management of dismissing them after they expressed their dissatisfaction with the school curriculum despite paying N645,000 for their training.

One of the past students who spoke to SaharaReporters exclusively on Tuesday confirmed the arbitrary expulsion of students by the school management.

She described how she spent “hard-earned money and left her shop in her state to travel to Lagos to attend the fashion school, only to be expelled midway for expressing herself”.

“I left my shop and begged my apprentices. Before coming, I rented a house here in Lagos; you know how a one-room apartment is in Lagos. I transport myself every day to school and feed.

“After all the suffering, someone accused me wrongly and gave me two weeks’ suspension. Later, she expelled me over the same issue for which she suspended me,” the source told SaharaReporters

She continued: “I came for an upgrade at GMYT Fashion Academy. When I got there, I told them my area of concentration since I know how to sew already, and they assured me that they would deliver.

“I don’t live in Lagos and don’t have anyone to stay with so I had to stay in a hostel first for one month to know it would go. I noticed that there was no good water to bathe. To cook in the hostel, we relied on buying sachet water and considering my health and body sensitivity, I had to leave the hostel to rent an apartment somewhere else.

“After spending about five months in the school, I was still being taught basic things and I was not happy so I called their attention to it. However, nothing was done about it. Then in June, we had a meeting with the GMD where she told us to air our views and we did.

“We asked her about the school’s plan to give us what we paid for and she said we should give her two months to see what she had in store for us. Two months came and went, and still nothing to show. By the end of August, we still weren’t taught pattern drafting.

“We had two sessions - morning and afternoon. After the meeting, she changed everything. If you don't come to school by 9 am on the dot, you won't be allowed to enter the classroom till noon. Students stayed in the sun till noon; someone who got to class by 9: 15 or thereabouts.”

She said she became so frustrated that she considered committing suicide.

“I went home frustrated and heartbroken; I nearly committed suicide. How on earth will I face my customers whom I told I went for an upgrade and then returned empty-handed? How will I face my colleagues whom I promised to teach new things when I return? How will I face my competitors?”

“I needed that upgrade so bad but I came back the way I was. I didn’t go to my shop anymore because of shame and what people would say. It was God and my friends who stood by me. My friends constantly called to check on me. As I’m speaking to you now, I have high BP,” she added.

Many people who said they attended the school also shared their experiences on Instagram.

_theankaragirl wrote, “It's funny how they threaten you with law suit. I paid same amount hoping to upgrade my skill. I had to quit cos everything was getting really messy.

“They close school gate by 9am. Treat students like kids! Most of my mates quited as well. My BP went high at a point cos I was seeing myself loosing and that wasn't the plan. I hope they get what they deserve. Trust me, student don't have any say in that school!!”

Another Instagram user, Chideraobi85 also narrated how the school proprietor sent her packing despite taking permission for maternal leave.

Chideraobi85 wrote: “Gymt woman is a very wicked woman, I was pregnant when that woman threatened me also,i was one of Gymt students what that woman did to me God will never forgive her I cried that day she locked me inside her school called police for me because I said that I want to continue from where I stopped after coming back from childbirth, upon I sent a mail taken excuse that I was due to given birth,I have evidence of how the woman treated me because she found out she sent people after to collect my phone and distroy the evidence but they didn’t succeed so many things to say but to cut the long story short that school is a scam they treat people any and shut their mouth by threatening them please you people should do something please.”

She continued: “Gymt women threatened me that if I post the video online that she will deal with me she even lock me inside the school called police called one of her friend she said is a lawyer that if I don’t delete the video in their front that she will deal with me inside the school there just because I went to tell her to refund me bck if she doesn’t want me to continue.”

Enche_orango said: “Na packaging cover that school and na so she Dey use police waka because she know say her way no clear…. That woman na sc. I no the truth will be out one day 500 people can’t be lying on a person at once every body is saying the same thing well am also a victim and I won’t lie my dream for fashion is dying little by little because of what the school did to me."

@Miss.20.something also berated the scholarship scheme of the fashion school, saying, “A School where they say they are giving out scholarships …Coarse people into paying their hard earned money for the same so called scholarships… Then suspend them halfway into learning absolutely nothing for not bringing more students into the school as if our job is to market … GMYT fashion academy is a waste of time and resources…. The owner is a narcissist who only cares about herself and her image in society… Anyone saying something good about this school is either her staff or just a brainwashed a** kisser … I am glad this has been brought to light so that other people won’t make the same mistakes we have made … I urge other media outlets to put it out there.”

When SaharaReporters contacted the school for a reaction to its previous report, the management stated that it took the allegations seriously and would investigate the matter.

The school proprietor, Princess Oghene, said, “Let me begin by acknowledging the concerns raised by some of our students regarding their experiences at GMYT Fashion Academy. We take these concerns seriously and are committed to addressing them in a fair and constructive manner.

“At GMYT Fashion Academy, we have a rich history in the fashion industry, spanning over 18 years. In that time, we have trained thousands of students, including those who benefited from our foundation programs, entirely free of charge. Our dedication to fashion education is unwavering, and this commitment is reflected in our comprehensive curriculum and state-of-the-art facilities.

“I have personally dedicated my life to the fashion industry, enriching my expertise through formal education at esteemed institutions like the Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School, and the London College of Fashion. Currently, I'm furthering my knowledge at the Business School Netherlands. Our academy reflects this dedication, aiming to provide the best education and environment for our students.

“Regarding the concerns raised by our students, it's crucial to emphasize that we continuously strive for improvement. We will certainly look into any grievances and feedback provided by students. Dismissing students is not a decision we take lightly, and it involves a thorough evaluation process.”

She also claimed that the school had produced brilliant minds in the fashion industry.

She added, “Once again, I appreciate your understanding and patience in this matter. We look forward to ensuring that the narrative surrounding GMYT Fashion Academy is accurate, fair, and reflective of our institution's integrity.”