Many Nigerian universities honouring illiterates, persons without worthy character- Says Jega

The Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, Usumanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof Attahiru Jega has said Nigerian universities are certificating illiterates and awarding degrees to many persons without worthy character.

Jega stated this while speaking as the Chairman of the ongoing 14th Convocation lecture of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja on Friday.

President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, delivered the keynote address at the lecture.

Jega said convocation is for the graduation of students who are found worthy in learning and character after four or five years of studies in Universities.

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“Every time we mention found worthy in learning and character, people tend to wonder whether learning and character necessarily go together; well, they do not, one can be learned but with no good character. Moreover one can be certificated without learning anything and yet have good character,” he said.

“The expectation is that university graduates are positioned for the ideal of having both learning and character, now this ideal has been approximated in Nigerian universities in the past and now a mere aspiration.

“In most cases, our universities offer certification to illiterates and awarding degrees in many cases to persons without worthy character. ”

He said the purpose of convocation lecture is to inspire and motivate students, faculty and staff to celebrate milestones and address important issues of ills relevant to the academic, community and society at large.

Referring to the Guest Lecturer, he said Adesina is an outstanding Nigerian doing the country and Africans proud.

Daily Trust