By Idris Katib
Guest speakers at the monthly seminar series of the Bola Ajibola College of Law(BACOLAW), Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, have classified examination malpractice as both a misconduct and a crime, stressing that universities can only punish for a misconduct after a fair hearing.
Leading this view was Prof. Nasiru Tijani, former Deputy Director-General and head of Lagos Campus of the Nigeria Law School, who was on sabbatical at BACOLAW of Crescent University between 2023 and 2024.
Speaking under the topic, “The Examination Conundrum: Defining Malpractice As a Crime or Misconduct”, Prof. Tijani concluded that examination malpractice is a crime, according to Section 1,subsection 2 of Lagos State Examination Malpractices Act.
Also speaking on the topic, “Examination Malpractice: The Far-reaching Consequences for Education and Beyond “, Prof. Rasaki Kareem, who is Deputy Vice Chancellor of the institution, described examination malpractice as an epidemic “which undermines credibility of examination results.
“Examination malpractice is any action of students in and around the examination centre that is inimical to the health of the academic institution”, Prof. Kareem posited highlighting effects of examination malpractice as corrupting the educational system, low economic productivity, institutional disgrace and lack of global competitiveness.
He said that students caught in acts of examination malpractices were made to face the Students Disciplinary Committee for consequences of their actions.
Speaking from the students’ perspective, Mr Habeeb Ganiyu, the valedictorian for the class of 2025 described students as agents of examination malpractice.
He said most students engaged in examination malpractice as a result of a academic pressures especially from parents who wanted their children excel by all means.
He counselled that students should desist from examination malpractice of any form this “produces unethical practitioners that weakens our social system”.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Registrar, Barr. Zakariyya Ajibola lauded the Ag. Dean of BACOLAW, Dr Saliu Jimoh as well as other faculty members, for organising the seminar to sensitize students ahead of the first semester examinations.
Also present at the event are the University Bursar, Alh. Gbadebo Ohinmefun FCA, Deputy Registrar (Establishment) Alh. Hakeem Dawodu, Deputy Registrar (Admissions and Senate Matters) Mr Hakim Ogunsola and Deputy Registrar (Students Affairs) Mrs Khadijat Akande.
Others are Dean of College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Dr Jadesola Sanusi;Dean of College of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Maruf Oyelakin;Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Mikhail Akindoyin; Prof. Ganiyat Olatokun; Director of Legal Clinic, Mrs Jalilat Idris and other faculty members
