By Nnasom David

Stakeholders have called for urgent action to address academic corruption in Nigerian tertiary institutions, warning that the menace is eroding the credibility of the country’s education system and undermining national development.

The call was made on Thursday at an African anti-corruption programme held at the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University.

Speaking at the event, the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Sam Amadi, said academic corruption had become deeply entrenched, weakening public confidence in certificates and degrees awarded by Nigerian universities.

According to him, institutions must take stronger measures to curb examination malpractice, sexual harassment, “sex-for-grades” and irregular promotion of academic staff.

Amadi argued that universities should enforce stricter recruitment and promotion standards to ensure only qualified individuals attain senior academic positions, while those found guilty of misconduct should face appropriate disciplinary measures.

He also advocated reforms that would reward merit and excellence, saying such a system would encourage students and academics to strive for higher standards rather than seek shortcuts.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, SAN, said corruption weakens public trust and deprives Nigerians of development opportunities.

Aliyu, who was represented by the ICPC Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Demola Bakare, urged Nigerians to unite in combating all forms of academic corruption.

The Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Mohammed Ndagi, said academic corruption deserved the same level of attention as financial and political corruption because of its far-reaching consequences.

He stressed that educational institutions should not only produce graduates but also responsible citizens, adding that civic education, ethical leadership, constitutional values, financial responsibility and political integrity should be strengthened within the education system.

Justice Olamide Oloyede of the Osun State High Court and a member of the Board of Trustees of the African Initiative Against Corruption and Examination Malpractice also called for a renewed national commitment to integrity.

She noted that examination malpractice, like other forms of corruption, had continued to tarnish Nigeria’s image internationally and called for efforts to rebuild the country’s ethical values.