By Ngozi Nwankwo
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has decried the alarming rate at which fake degrees and certificates are gradually encroaching into the nation’s education system.
Mr President made this declaration at the combined convocation of the Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University, Bauchi, held on Friday, 23rd February, 2024.
In his remarks, the President frowned at the incursion of fake certificates into the country’s tertiary education system while assuring the nation that government would do the needful to safeguard the integrity of the sector.
He said, “in order to safeguard the sanctity of our educational institutions, the federal government has noted the increasing incidences of fake decrees /certificates acquired by some unpatriotic Nigerians from unscrupulous institutions mostly from beyond the borders of this country.
“Hence, adequate machinery has been put in place to bring these unwholesome practices to an end while those who engage in it shall face the full wrath of the law”.
The President, who was represented by Mr James Ocheido, Deputy Director, University Education Department, Federal Ministry of Education, said concerted efforts are being put in place through the collaboration of all relevant MDAs using state-of-the-art technologies to ensure that nobody is able to forge any degree or certificate of the nation’s tertiary institutions adding that whoever is caught in the illicit practice would not go unpunished.
”I will like to inform you that the present administration is steadily and consciously studying the education sector, particularly the tertiary education sub-sector, with a view to designing a practical blueprint for achieving greater success in service delivery.
“The university system in Nigeria has come a long way and has recorded a lot of landmark achievements, especially in the training of professionals and experts in all fields, and these experts are contributing immensely to national development.”
He urged authorities of universities to intensify their collaborative efforts with other universities across the globe in order to exchange meaningful ideas for the benefit of our dear country.
“Few countries in Africa can boast of the robust and vibrant research activities leading to those amazing discoveries credited to our researchers, your efforts will not go in vain as we are more than ever ready to give you all the support needed for you to do more,” he said.
On a final note, the President disclosed the resolve of his administration to continue to invest in education, especially in research, to ensure that our graduates remain competitive in an ever-changing world.
