Academic Dishonesty & the Fallen Intellectual Angels of Abracadabra…

Universities are not just repositories of knowledge; they also double as centres of excellence and moral probity. Whether the members of the academia have lived up to the expectations of this noble calling is the thrust of this piece. I am not interested in discrediting any persons or group, neither am I going to offend the sensibilities of members of the academic community just to gain some cheap attention. I wish this write-up wouldn’t be understood from that perspective. My aim here is not just to expose an ill, rather to attempt a solution to one of the lingering defects of the Nigerian society....

Sometime in the past, it was revealed that fifteen Dons of one of the reputable universities in Nigeria were involved in what the university authority described as ‘academic dishonesty’. According to sources, five of the fifteen lecturers were accused of ‘plagiarism and sleaze’, while the other ten were charged with the crime of publishing in fake or cloned journals. The latter were demoted from their unmerited promotions and would not be promoted for six years.

It didn’t end there, these ‘fallen intellectual angels’, are to pay back every kobo earned from this underserved favours and would not be promoted for at least the next six years. All these measures the university authorities explained was to prevent further occurrence of this mockery of the academia. Of course, there are still few in service that has not dented their reputation.

But, what do we think are the factors responsible for this sudden and catastrophic ruin of these beleaguered dons? First, it can never be unconnected with the inordinate ambition to climb to the Professoriate prematurely. Of course, we heard that with once a scholar becomes a Professor, he/she is only due for retirement only after the 70^th birthday. So you can see how the quest for vainglory turned our academic role models to copycat.

The case of these beleaguered Dons raises more questions than answers. Could it be that these men were victims of circumstances? Were they just over ambitious or victims of an alleged neglect of the education sector? Do you suspect anything like witch hunting?

However, before we rush into condemnation of these Dons, it is wise that we should look at ourselves in the academic mirror and examine ourselves with some very important questions. Of course, these scholars are our metaphor too.

Truth be told, it makes more sense to be creative, and innovative in your academic quest rather than depend solely on taking an undue advantage of one’s intellectual property. To the fallen angels, it’s time to have a rethink, a time to make a U-turn towards moral probity. It’s not time for back-biting rather an opportunity to click aright. You can start afresh. 

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About TRENDY

Shift from the Memorization of Facts to the Understanding of Principles.