An important first step in tackling the widespread problem of fake academic credentials has been taken by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) in Nigeria, which has discovered 3,000 fake graduates with illegitimate certificates. This worrying discovery was made public by JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede in a board bulletin report. The people in question, according to the registrar, had never attended any classes, showing that there is systemic Corruption in Nigeria’s system of education. At the JAMB National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, Oloyede denounced the practice of some institutions admitting students without proper documentation during a meeting with the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN).
He called it a great embarrassment and a betrayal of the country. The bulletin stressed how critical it is that educational institutions take immediate action to stop these admissions, as they compromise the integrity of the system. This information was made public in response to a December 2023 order from the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education directing JAMB to compile a list of postsecondary institutions that had engaged in irregular and unlawful admissions. Candidates have regularly received warnings from JAMB not to accept admissions from universities that do not adhere to the correct academic procedures.
History of Fake Graduates and Certification in Nigeria.
In a statement titled “Cessation of illegal/irregular admission,” JAMB reaffirmed that the body has the only portal through which applications for admission to first-degree programs, national diplomas, national Innovation diplomas, and Nigerian certificates in Education can be submitted. It is illegal to admit anyone whose admission is not recorded in its Central Admission Processing System (CAPS). This position was further reinforced by Oloyede’s remarks made at Thomas Adewumi University’s third matriculation ceremony. He declared that in order to guarantee transparency and remove human intervention, admissions had to be done via CAPS. The admission is void if this procedure is not followed.
Moreover, the issue of fake graduates and fraudulent certifications is not new in Nigeria. For decades, the country has struggled with the menace of counterfeit academic credentials, which undermine the credibility of its education system. The proliferation of fake certificates can be traced back to the 1980s when economic downturns led to a surge in unemployment. As competition for jobs intensified, the desperation to secure employment resulted in the rise of forged academic documents. Over the years, several high-profile cases have brought the issue into the spotlight. In the 1990s, the Nigerian government discovered that numerous civil servants were employed based on fake certificates.
Government strategies to address the certificate issue.
Again, a nationwide verification exercise that saw many unqualified individuals removed from their positions occurred as a result. Despite these efforts, the problem persisted, with new technologies making it easier for fraudsters to produce convincing forgeries. The advent of the internet in the early 2000s further exacerbated the situation. Online platforms emerged, offering counterfeit certificates for a fee. These platforms often operate across borders, making it difficult for Nigerian authorities to track and shut them down. Consequently, the education sector has continually been plagued by the infiltration of unqualified individuals who secure admissions and employment through deceit. To combat the proliferation of fake graduates and certifications, the Nigerian government, alongside various educational bodies, has implemented several strategies.
One of them is the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS). JAMB’s introduction of CAPS ensures that all admissions are processed transparently and centrally. This system reduces human interference and minimizes the chances of illegal admissions. JAMB has also incorporated biometric data collection during its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration process. This measure helps to verify the identities of candidates, ensuring that only qualified individuals gain admission into tertiary institutions. Then, the government has mandated regular verification exercises for certificates, particularly within the public sector. Institutions and employers are required to authenticate the credentials of their staff and students through official channels.
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Notably, the country has enacted laws to penalize the production and use of fake certificates. The government, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, conducts periodic raids and prosecutes those found guilty of academic fraud. Meanwhile, continuous sensitization campaigns aim to educate the public about the dangers and consequences of using fake certificates. These campaigns emphasize the importance of integrity and the long-term benefits of genuine academic achievements. Finally, regular audits of educational institutions help to identify and address loopholes that may allow fraudulent activities. These audits ensure that institutions comply with set standards and regulations.