Professor Godwin Oyedokun, a lecturer at Lead City University in Ibadan, has criticized the federal government’s decision to dismiss employees who graduated from Benin Republic universities, describing the action as “harsh and insensitive” given the current economic climate in Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Post on Tuesday, Oyedokun’s comments came in response to a recent announcement by former Nigerian Senator and activist, Shehu Sani, that some federal government workers had been fired due to their degrees from Benin Republic institutions. This decision follows the exposure last year of a certificate forgery scandal, where Nigerian journalist Umar Audu revealed that he had purchased a degree from a Benin Republic university for N600,000.
While acknowledging the importance of maintaining academic integrity, Professor Oyedokun expressed concern that the dismissal of workers over their qualifications could further burden Nigeria’s already struggling economy, especially as many Nigerians are facing high unemployment rates.
“The decision to sack graduates over the fake certificates saga is indeed a complex and sensitive issue,” Oyedokun stated. “On one hand, it’s crucial to uphold academic integrity and ensure that qualifications are legitimate to maintain the credibility of educational institutions. On the other hand, this action may exacerbate the already challenging economic conditions many are facing.”
Oyedokun pointed out that the timing of the dismissals was particularly problematic, as many Nigerian graduates are already struggling to secure employment in a difficult job market. He questioned whether adequate support systems were in place to help those affected and called for measures to address the root causes of certificate forgery.
“It may be beneficial for the government to implement programs aimed at verifying qualifications and providing support for genuine graduates who are struggling to find their footing in the job market,” Oyedokun suggested.
The federal government’s decision has sparked debate, with some supporting the need to safeguard the integrity of the workforce, while others, like Oyedokun, argue that a more balanced approach is needed to avoid worsening the country’s socio-economic challenges.
