“Universities Now Honoring Illiterates”—Jega” Slams Decline in Academic Integrity

Prof. Attahiru Jega, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the council at Usumanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, has claimed that many people without good character are receiving degrees from Nigerian universities and that illiterates are being certified.

Jega made this statement on Friday while serving as the chairman of the National Open University of Nigeria’s (NOUN) 14th Convocation address in Abuja.

The lecture’s keynote speaker was Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Convocation, according to Jega, is for the graduation of students who, after four or five years of university study, are judged deserving of respect in both learning and character.

Every time we say that learning and character are worthy, people often ask themselves if they are inherently related, he stated. They don’t. One who lacks good character can be taught. Furthermore, a person with good character can receive a degree without ever knowing anything.

“University graduates are supposed to be in a position to possess both knowledge and moral qualities. This goal has previously been roughly achieved in Nigerian universities and is currently only an aspiration.

“The majority of the time, our universities grant degrees to people who lack good character and certify illiterates.”

According to him, the goal of the convocation talk is to encourage and inspire students, teachers, and staff to commemorate significant occasions and tackle pressing problems that affect the academic community, society at large, and the community at large.

He said that Adesina, the guest lecturer, was a great Nigerian who was making her country and Africans proud.