An investigation by Edugist has revealed conflicting accounts in a case involving a Canada-based Instagram user, identified as IFY AUTOS, who accused a Nigerian private tutor, Toluwalase Ikumawoyi, of harassing her daughter during an online chemistry lesson.
According to the woman, she had posted an Instagram story seeking a chemistry teacher for a two-week crash course for her daughter, with an offer to pay ₦100,000.
“I made a post on my Instagram story that I was looking for a chemistry teacher to teach my daughter for two weeks and I will be paying the person 100,000 naira,” she wrote. She explained that, due to her busy vacation schedule, she couldn’t interview applicants thoroughly and chose one who came recommended.
After a trial session on Sunday, her daughter reportedly approved of the teacher, and the first official class was held on Monday.
However, things took a turn when, according to the woman, her son contacted her mid-air during her flight, claiming that the teacher was not a good fit.
Upon landing, she called her daughter and was told that the teacher had allegedly asked her to dance, requested her pictures, and insisted she turn on her camera.
“This guy has been asking her during teaching to dance for him… He was asking my daughter for her pictures… He was asking my daughter to put on the camera,” she stated emotionally. “I am so angry because this guy claimed he has been teaching children… He’s a disgrace to himself… If you’re already asking for picture and video just one day of teaching my daughter, I wonder what you’ll be asking for if you teach her.”
Despite these serious accusations, Edugist found that no tangible evidence was provided by the woman to support the harassment claims.
Disturbed by the public allegation, Mr. Toluwalase Ikumawoyi was contacted by Edugist to share his own side of the story and seek justice.
According to him, he reached out to the woman after one of his students forwarded her advert.
“I also teach cybersecurity apart from science subjects,” he said, adding that he scheduled a trial class for Sunday via Zoom. Due to the seven-hour time difference, the class was set for 5 p.m. Nigerian time.
“She came online with no camera on. I asked to see who I was speaking with, and she replied that it’s morning and she can’t show her camera. So I said it’s fine.”
Mr. Ikumawoyi explained in a video that after brief introductions, the girl shared her thermochemistry notes, which they solved for about two hours. “She wanted it to extend, but I insisted it’s fine—that I would love to speak with her parents first and hear their review, then we can schedule another class,” he said.
Later, the woman confirmed the daughter liked the session and agreed on the two-week arrangement for ₦100,000.
Because of the time constraints, he offered to help with any questions the girl had via WhatsApp.
“Since it’s WhatsApp, I can quickly respond,” he said, adding that Monday’s interaction was only through screenshot exchanges of questions—not video or voice calls. “The entire class we had yesterday was just her sending screenshots of questions and me answering them,” he explained. “There was no video call at all… I was in my sitting room with everyone present.”
The teacher stated that when the mother later accused him, he wasn’t near his phone but responded immediately upon seeing the message, sending her all chat records to prove his innocence.
“Then I realized she had blocked me,” he said. “So this early morning, so as not to leave the matter without clarification, I chatted her up with my second line… That’s when she started threatening me. Even after I sent her all the WhatsApp screenshots to at least read and justify that there was no video call yesterday.”
To verify, Edugist contacted the woman requesting evidence. Her response, however, was abusive and threatening: “Get out of my DM,” she told Edugist reporter. “You all should know I am smarter than this.” She went further to threaten, “Don’t worry, your kids will be raped,” and added that “they will ask you for evidence.” She concluded by warning, “Tell your brother to forget ever applying to Canada embassy… He has made his case worse.”
Screenshots of the WhatsApp exchanges obtained by Edugist show that the woman had indeed engaged the teacher for academic help and did not fulfill her financial obligation.
“For me to have sent her evidence and she did not bother to look into it,” Mr. Ikumawoyi lamented.
Also of concern is the session on Monday, July 28, 2025, during which the student engaged the teacher in rapid-fire question-and-answer exchanges—raising the possibility that the session may have occurred during a live exam in Canada, though this is yet to be verified.
With his reputation at stake, Mr. Ikumawoyi is seeking justice to clear his name and expose what he describes as a false and damaging accusation stemming from a breach of trust and an apparent attempt to avoid payment.
