The University of Ilorin has dismissed a report that claimed it had 11 fake professors on its payroll. The report, which circulated on social media, was allegedly based on a list of 100 fake professors uncovered by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The management of the university stated on Sunday, saying that none of the persons on the list was on its nominal roll, nor had any of them ever had any dealing with the university at any time or in any guise.

The statement, signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, said the report was another attempt by mischief makers to tarnish the image of the university, which is known for its high integrity and strict adherence to best global practices.

According to a report by Vanguard, the statement also stated that the NUC had dissociated itself from the list that first surfaced in December 2019, and urged the public to ignore the report.

The NUC

The NUC is the regulatory body for all universities in Nigeria. It is responsible for ensuring quality assurance, accreditation, curriculum development, and research funding. The NUC also maintains a database of all academic staff in Nigerian universities, including their qualifications and publications.

According to the NUC website, the commission has a mandate to “initiate and promote proficiency and skill acquisition among Nigerian university graduates and staff, as well as ensure that Nigerian universities produce graduates that are internationally competitive and relevant to the needs of the society.

Controversial Fake List

The fake professors list has generated a lot of controversy and debate among academics, students, and the general public. Some have questioned the authenticity and credibility of the list, while others have called for a thorough investigation and sanction of the culprits.

The list has also raised concerns about the quality and standards of education in Nigerian universities, as well as the implications for the reputation and ranking of the institutions.

Some experts have suggested that the list may be a reflection of the challenges and problems facing the Nigerian university system, such as inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, corruption, plagiarism, and brain drain.

Steps To Be Taken

The issue of fake professors in Nigerian universities is a serious one that requires urgent and collective action from all stakeholders. Some of the possible solutions include:

– Strengthening the verification and validation processes for academic staff recruitment and promotion by the NUC and the universities.

– Enhancing the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for academic staff performance and productivity by the NUC and the universities.

– Improving the transparency and accountability of the academic staff database and records by the NUC and the universities.

– Encouraging and rewarding academic excellence and integrity by the NUC and the universities.

– Providing adequate and sustainable funding and resources for the university system by the government and other partners.

– Promoting a culture of professionalism and ethics among academic staff and students by the NUC and the universities.

By taking these steps, the Nigerian university system can restore its credibility and reputation and produce graduates who are globally competitive and socially relevant.