Ministry Debunks Claims Of 100 Fake Professors In 2,000 Nigerian Universities
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed as false and misleading viral reports alleging that the National Universities Commission (NUC) identified 2,000 universities and uncovered about 100 fake professors in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Boriowo Folasade on Saturday.
“The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, categorically states that the NUC has never declared the existence of 2,000 universities in Nigeria or published, endorsed or authenticated the purported list of individuals circulating online as fake professors.
“The Ministry clarifies that the allegation concerning fake professors is a distorted version of a media report published on December 3, 2019, concerning an NUC exercise to verify the directory of full professors in Nigerian universities. The original report did not contain the names currently being circulated, which the Commission has since disowned.
“The Ministry expresses concern over the persistent recycling of these false claims, which are calculated to undermine public confidence in Nigerian universities and discredit ongoing efforts to strengthen the education sector, particularly the university system”, the statement said.
Members of the public, media organisations and social media users were therefore urged to disregard the fabricated claims and verify information concerning recognised universities and academic standards through the NUC’s official channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to supporting the NUC in safeguarding academic integrity, strengthening quality assurance and protecting the credibility and global reputation of Nigeria’s university education system”, the statement concluded.
