Exam Result Forgery: A Grave Threat to Nigerian Students and Their Future -By Deborah Enifome Orieka

Education plays a vital role in shaping the future of individuals and societies. In Nigeria, the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is a crucial gateway for students to secure admission into tertiary institutions. However, recent reports of students resorting to forging their UTME results have raised serious concerns. This article aims to shed light on the dangers of forgery to students and highlight the far-reaching consequences of such actions.

In a shocking recent incident, news broke out about a girl, known as Ejikeme Nmesoma, who allegedly forged her UTME result to gain an unfair advantage in the highly competitive admission process. The incident not only tarnishes the reputation of the individual involved but also raises questions about the integrity of the entire examination system.

Forgery is very dangerous as it can create ethical implications. Forgery of exam results is a clear violation of academic ethics and integrity. It undermines the principles of fairness, honesty, and meritocracy that form the foundation of a robust education system. By engaging in forgery, students not only compromise their own character but also erode the trust and credibility of educational institutions.

Forgery also has legal consequences. Forgery is a criminal offense with severe legal ramifications. In Nigeria, forging exam results is considered a fraudulent act, punishable under the law. Students involved in such activities risk facing criminal charges, which can result in fines, imprisonment, or both. These legal consequences not only disrupt a student’s academic journey but can also have long-lasting impacts on their personal and professional lives.

Furthermore, it diminishes self-growth. Education is not merely about acquiring certificates or degrees; it is about personal growth, learning, and acquiring knowledge and skills that shape an individual’s future. When students resort to forgery, they deny themselves the opportunity to truly grow and develop as individuals. They cheat themselves out of the chance to acquire knowledge and skills that would have been beneficial for their personal and professional lives.

Even more, it creates long-term reputational damage. Forging exam results might provide a temporary advantage, but the long-term consequences are far-reaching and damaging. Educational institutions and potential employers value integrity and honesty in candidates. If discovered, forged results can lead to a permanent stain on an individual’s reputation, making it extremely difficult to regain trust and credibility in the academic and professional spheres.

Forgery has an adverse impact on the education system. Forgery undermines the integrity of the entire education system. It creates a culture of dishonesty and erodes the value of legitimate achievements. It places genuine, hardworking students at a disadvantage by diluting the significance of their accomplishments. Moreover, it forces educational institutions to invest additional resources in implementing stricter verification measures, diverting their attention from providing quality education. This, forgery of results or any documents needs to be avoided and curbed at all costs.

In order to prevent forgery and promote ethical practices, a number of things need to be done. Firstly, security measures need to be strengthened. To combat forgery, educational authorities must adopt robust security measures for exam processes, result management, and verification procedures. These may include advanced technology, biometric identification, secure databases, and regular audits to ensure the authenticity and integrity of results.

Raising Awareness is also a preventive action that can be taken. Educational institutions, parents, and society as a whole should engage in proactive efforts to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of forgery. By promoting a culture of honesty, integrity, and fair competition, students can better understand the value of their own achievements and the detrimental effects of resorting to forgery. Students that have been equipped with the knowledge of genuine achievements will work hard to merit their results and will never resort to forging.

Furthermore, there should be avenues for counseling and mentorship. Students should have access to effective counseling and mentorship programs that help them navigate the challenges of academic pressure. By providing guidance and support, educators and mentors can help students understand the importance of ethical conduct and the long-term benefits of genuine achievements.

Conclusively, forging UTME results or any other academic credentials is a grave threat to students as it will greatly affect their growth. It is highly embarrassing and illegal to partake in such. It is also greatly unfair to other students who participate in the same examination. It is therefore pertinent that all in the education sector work hard to ensure that cases of forgery of results or any other academic credentials are completely erased from the education system. Students should also be diligent with their studies and avoid any atom of forgery in any documents for their own good.

Orieka, Deborah Enifome,

Student, Department of English and Literary Studies,

Faculty of Arts,

Delta State University, Abraka.