•Prof Attahiru Jega
Former INEC Chairman and current Chairman of the Governing Council of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has criticised the growing trend of Nigerian universities awarding honorary degrees to individuals without academic merit.
Speaking at the 14th convocation lecture of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja on Friday, April 11, Jega described the act as a betrayal of the academic system, reports The Guardian.
He applauded the graduating students for their hard work and commitment, noting that it was deeply unfair for a student to spend four or more years studying, and a lecturer to devote time to research, only for someone with no formal education or classroom experience to be honoured with a degree for political or selfish reasons.
He said: “Whenever we mention being found worthy in learning and character, people tend to wonder whether learning and character necessarily go together. Well, they do not. One can be learned, but with no good character. Moreover, one can be certificated without learning anything, yet have a good character.
“The expectation is that university graduates are positioned for the ideal of having both learning and character. Now, this ideal has been approximated in Nigerian universities in the past and is now a mere aspiration. In most cases, our universities offer certification to illiterates and award degrees, in many cases, to persons without worthy character.
“This is a stain on the integrity and respect of Nigerian universities.”
Jega further emphasised that such practices were undermining the value of education in the country. He urged students, educators, and institutions to stand firm in protecting academic excellence and resist the politicisation of honorary awards.
He said the purpose of the convocation lecture was to inspire and motivate students, faculty and staff to celebrate milestones and address important issues of ills relevant to the academic, community and society at large.
He described the guest lecturer, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, as an outstanding Nigerian doing the country and Africans proud.
In his lecture, Adesina, reminisced about a time when Nigerian education was globally respected. He noted that while the country still maintained a level of prestige, political influence would erode it if caution was not taken.
