Prof. Attahiru Jega has criticized Nigerian universities for awarding degrees to individuals lacking both academic merit and good character. Speaking at NOUN’s 14th Convocation Lecture, he warned that the integrity of higher education is being undermined, sparking renewed debate about the credibility and future of Nigeria’s academic institutions.
Former INEC Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Professor Attahiru Jega, has raised serious concerns over the declining academic and moral standards in Nigeria’s university system, accusing institutions of awarding degrees to individuals who lack both true academic knowledge and ethical grounding.
Speaking on Friday at the 14th Convocation Lecture of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, Jega used the platform to call for an urgent re-evaluation of how degrees are earned and awarded across the country.
“The phrase ‘worthy in learning and character’ has become almost symbolic rather than substantive,” Jega said, reflecting on the traditional academic requirement for graduates. He warned that universities are increasingly producing graduates who fall short of both intellectual and moral benchmarks.
Jega, who chaired the event, emphasized that learning and character should not be seen as separate ideals but as interconnected pillars of true education. “It’s possible to be well-read and still lack integrity, just as one may have a good disposition but lack any meaningful education. The troubling reality is that we’re producing graduates who have neither,” he remarked.
His comments come at a time when concerns about the quality of Nigeria’s tertiary education are mounting, with many critics citing over-commercialization, political interference, and insufficient oversight in academic institutions.
The convocation event featured African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina as the keynote speaker. Jega praised Adesina as a role model who embodies both intellectual excellence and principled leadership, urging students to aspire to similar standards.
According to Jega, convocation ceremonies should not only mark academic milestones but also spark conversations around restoring credibility in the higher education system. He challenged faculty, administrators, and policymakers to resist the normalization of mediocrity and the watering down of academic credentials.
