Comedian’s “first class upper” Claim Sparks Memes, Fact-Checks, and a Lesson on Club Awards vs. University Degrees
Nigerian comedian, streamer, and content creator Carter Efe trended nationwide in September 2025 after claiming he graduated with a “First Class Upper” in Biochemistry from Babcock University. He even posted a document to “prove it.”But the internet quickly fact-checked him, and here’s what the records show.
How the ‘First Class Upper’ Drama Started
It began during the ‘Olodo Uprising’ debate. Rapper Ycee had criticized what he called the “Olodo Uprising” — a term for rewarding ignorance over education.
On September 24, 2025, Carter Efe went live and fired back: “I graduated from Babcock University with a first class upper in Biochemistry” and that he was “the best in his set”.
When followers doubted him, he posted what he called his certificate on X.
The Certificate: Club Award, Not a University Degree
Investigations and social media analysis found the document was not a Babcock University degree certificate.
According to reports, it was an award from the university’s Biochemistry Computer Club, not an official academic certificate.
Club and association awards “generally do not replace or confer an academic degree awarded through the university’s formal graduation process”.
The ‘First Class Upper’ Problem: It Doesn’t Exist
The bigger issue was the grading term itself. Nigeria’s university system recognizes only: First Class Honours, Second Class Upper, Second Class Lower, and Third Class. “First Class Upper” does not exist in any Nigerian university handbook.
Babcock University’s own system awards First Class Honours for a CGPA of 4.50 and above, while 3.50–4.49 is Second Class Upper.
Fans flooded comments: “There’s no such thing as First Class Upper at Babcock”. Others joked the “Upper” he meant might be a location in Benin, not a grade.
Did Babcock University Officially ‘Debunk’ It?
As of the most recent reports, neither Babcock University nor the Babcock University Biochemistry Computer Club had publicly commented on the authenticity, purpose, or wording of the certificate circulating on social media. Similarly, Carter Efe did not issue further clarification beyond sharing the document.
However, the claim was effectively debunked by facts: the document’s source + Nigeria’s grading system.
Internet Reacts: Satire, Memes, and Education Talk
Most viewers treated it as classic Carter Efe comedy. Analysts described his brand as “loud, exaggerated, and deliberately absurd,” noting the “First Class Upper” was so obviously wrong that many instantly recognized it as satire rather than deception.
The moment also sparked a wider conversation about education vs. street influence in Nigeria, and the difference between student association certificates and official university qualifications.
Carter Efe had made a similar claim in July, saying he finished with a “first class upper” and was his department’s top graduate. That post also drew skepticism.
Bottom Line
Carter Efe did post a document linked to Babcock University, but it was a Biochemistry Computer Club award, not an official “First Class Upper” degree. The “First Class Upper” classification itself does not exist in Nigeria. Babcock University had not issued a direct statement on the matter at press time. The episode became less about a “fake honorary certificate” and more about a viral mix-up between club recognition and academic credentials.
