SIR: It was reported of recent that Vice-Chancellors are set to tackle plagiarism with technology in Nigerian universities. Going by the rate at which Nigerian universities produce unemployable thesis writing graduates and “good boy” political professors, this is a welcome development. Our concern however is that this worthy project would likely end up like that of most other anti-fraud and anti-graft agencies, as instrument of victimisation and jobs politically provided for the “boys.”

At least one professor, by his antecedent as Vice-Chancellor, who had the opportunity to tackle some cases of plagiarism during his tenure but failed, does not merit the headship of the unit to handle plagiarism cases.

Two cases, one in the Faculty of Technology, Department of Computer Sciences and the other in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Sociology of the university under reference are worth mentioning. The case in the department of Computer Science involved a computer guru. He picked the projects of the students supervised by him, got them published in his name, without acknowledging the input of the students. Till date, nothing has been heard about the case over which a petition was written to the Vice-Chancellor.

The second case involved a lecturer in the department of Sociology and Anthropology, who churned out textbooks as if he was writing love letters. A petition came, though late, after he was promoted professor, but the case got killed.

During the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure, cases of promotion for some were processed with urgency. Heads of departments and Deans of faculties under his administration shamelessly would tell their colleagues whose promotions to professorship were due that the university did not have Senate approved guidelines for promotion of academic staff. Promotions are subject to the mood, whims and caprices of the Appointments and Promotions Committee at any given time. Quantity and not quality of published papers in books, and journals count most. (So why would lecturers not plagiarise at all cost to meet and surpass the quantity required by the Appointments and Promotions Committee.) Usually, enemies of the administration got caught, while the boys and friends go unhurt.

A unit that is supposed to deal with fraud, even if academic in nature deserves a head that would be non-political and above board. Without that, the plagiarism project would probably end up the way of all Nigerian exercises aimed at curbing fraud and corruption cases – instrument of victimisation and providing jobs for the boys.

What has become of NUC accreditation exercises in universities, exercises producing fraudulent submissions from university units and fraudulent grades and reports from NUC accreditors?

• Folawiyo Esan,

O.A.U, Ile-Ife.