AWKA, Nigeria — The academic community at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, has been jolted by the news of an administrative staff suspension for allegedly forging academic qualifications, including a university degree and a National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate.
The controversy surfaced when the employee, Nwafor Nwesuzor, petitioned to amend his academic records, a move that raised suspicions and led to a deeper inquiry.
“The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, has approved the immediate suspension of Nwafor Ogbonnaya, also known as Nwafor Nwesuzor, over allegations of presenting forged and fake degree results to the university,” disclosed Emmanuel Ojukwu on Thursday, November 2, 2023.
The inquiry into Nwesuzor’s academic credentials revealed a labyrinthine attempt to manipulate the university’s employment records.
“In a bid to secure employment at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nwafor Ogbonnaya, whose real name is Nwafor Nwesuzor, abandoned his undergraduate program and forged the university statement of results and a letter of exclusion from the NYSC,” said Ojukwu, elucidating the sequence of events that led to the current predicament.
The case took a turn when Nwesuzor, who had ostensibly left his studies prematurely, returned to complete his degree under a different name and sought to adjust the results on his employment records.
“He later went ahead to complete his degree program. The whole scenario emanated when Mr. Nwafor Ogbonnaya wrote to the university, requesting to change his degree result,” Ojukwu stated.
The disparity in the degree class listed on the different documents was a red flag. The fraudulent statement bore a second-class lower division under the name Nwafor Osborne Ogbonnaya, whereas the authentic record named Nwafor Ogbonnaya Nwesuzor with a third-class degree.
“The vice chancellor has, in adherence to university regulations, sanctioned a six-month suspension for Nwafor Nwesuzor while further procedures are underway before a final decision is taken,” Ojukwu added, underscoring the gravity with which the university views such infractions.
The incident has cast a spotlight on the rigorous checks and balances needed within academic institutions to prevent fraudulent activities that undermine the integrity of educational qualifications.
