How Nnaji’s certificate alleged forgery exposes Nigeria’s immoral values tradition

In a country where leadership should ideally embody integrity and honour, recent events have cast a troubling light on the moral compass guiding Nigeria’s public sphere.

The certificate forgery scandal involving Uche Nnaji, the ex-minister of innovation, science and technology is not an isolated lapse, it is a symptom of a deeper cultural decay.

As the country reels from yet another betrayal of trust, it becomes clear that the issue transcends one man. Nigeria appears to be entrenching a tradition where immoral values are not only tolerated but normalised, raising critical questions about accountability, societal values, and the future of ethical governance.

Right from primary schools, many pupils are engaged in examination malpractice, in some cases backed by their parents and teachers; thereby authenticating certificate racketeering and cheating as a moral value.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission report indicated that between 2015 to 2018 not less than 721 members of staff of six federal government agencies secured employment using forged academic certificates.

The agencies affected are Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Prisons Service, Pension Transition Arrangement Department, Federal Fire Service and National Identity Management Commission.

Certificate forgery may not be new in Nigeria but it took a frightening dimension since the restoration of civil rule in 1999 as desperate politicians across the nation seek quick and illegal avenues to upgrade their academic inadequacies while aspiring for public offices.

Many who venture into this immoral act are led by the desperation to make ends meet.

In a country with high unemployment rates and limited opportunities, a forged certificate can be seen as a way to escape poverty and improve one’s life chances.

Friday Erhabor, the director of media and strategies at Marklenez Limited said the nefarious act thrives because of lack of political will to enforce laws prevalent in the system.

“The major problem in Nigeria is not lack of laws, but the political will to enforce our laws. As it is with traffic laws, electoral laws, anti-corruption laws, that’s how it is with certificate forgery.

“When laws are not enforced, it embolden criminals to commit more crimes. But once someone is caught for forging certificate and the person is arraigned and convicted, it sent strong message to other criminals,” he said.

Imagine a country, where even candidates for presidential office struggle to present original certificate. In fact, Nigerians have adopted a detrimental attitude to certificate forgery among politicians to the extent of insisting that it does not matter if one has a genuine certificate, provided he or she is from our tribe, he is the best.

Nigeria has had a president without a proven certificate, and his leadership quality was there for all to see; because a man cannot give with what he does not have.

Christian Agu, a parent, sees the surging instances of certificate forgery as fueled by the unhealthy emphasises placed on certificates qualification in Nigeria.

“A student is expected to obtain a credit pass in five subjects including English Language and Mathematics to be admitted in universities, and even in some institutions, this must come in one sitting.

“At employment cadre, especially with the civil service, little or no attention is given to what one can do, but the credentials. That’s why we have degree holders that can’t construct a good sentence,” he said.

This culture of immoral values can be said to have fueled the instance where some NYSC candidates were delisted for allegedly forged called-up letters.

Curbing the menace

Experts believe the way Nigeria can curb the menace of certificate forgery is to put in place a strict verification, transparency, and institutional reform.

Gift Osikoya, a teacher, said there is a need for the government to ensure that all appointments, from ministers to local officials, go through an independent and digital certificate verification process.

“There should be public access to the credentials of public officials should encourage accountability and build trust. Besides, the government should strengthen penalties for forgery and enforce them without bias or political influence.

“The government should encourage tertiary institutions to fully digitise students’ records and certificates, to make forgery nearly impossible,” she said.

Erhabor said the DSS should be made to screen nominated ministers and authenticate their claims.

“Certificates of appointed government agencies and top political posts must have their certificates properly verified before they assume office. One day, somebody with a forged certificate can become our CBN governor,” he said.