The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) will turn attention to the dangers of examination malpractice and its implications for Nigeria’s future as Professor Leonard Chinaedum Anigbo delivers the institution’s 61st Inaugural Lecture on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
The lecture, titled “Resuscitating a Fainting Nation Through Integrity in the Assessment of Future Leaders: The Crises of Examination Malpractice and the Path to National Renewal,” will examine the role of credible assessment in building a society where merit, competence and integrity are valued.
Professor Anigbo, a Professor of Educational Measurement and Evaluation in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Education will explore how examination malpractice undermines educational standards and raises concerns about the competence of individuals progressing through the nation’s academic system.
The event, scheduled for 11am at the Dr. Peter Mbah Auditorium, Agbani, will be hosted by the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie.
At the centre of the lecture is a fundamental question. What becomes of a nation when the processes meant to identify knowledge, measure ability and reward merit are compromised?
Examinations are essential instruments for determining students’ understanding and readiness for further academic or professional responsibilities.
However, practices such as cheating, impersonation, collusion and bribery weaken their credibility, disadvantage diligent students and cast doubt on the value of academic qualifications.
The consequences may extend beyond the classroom. When dishonesty becomes a means of securing success, it risks eroding respect for hard work and encouraging attitudes that undermine accountability in public and private institutions.
This concern gives Professor Anigbo’s chosen theme significance beyond the confines of educational measurement. It draws attention to the relationship between the standards upheld in schools and universities and the quality of people eventually entrusted with professional and public responsibilities.
A country’s development depends partly on the competence of its workforce. Engineers, teachers, medical professionals and public administrators must possess the requisite knowledge and skills to perform their duties effectively. Where assessment systems fail to establish genuine competence, the credibility of the qualifications they award is called into question.
Although examination malpractice is not the sole explanation for Nigeria’s developmental challenges, confronting it remains an important step towards strengthening educational standards and public confidence in institutions.
The lecture’s reference to national renewal also raises questions about the values society communicates to young people. A system that rewards dishonest achievement risks sending the wrong message about the relationship between success and integrity.
The biblical quotation accompanying the event, “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34), reinforces this moral dimension. It underscores the importance of honesty and accountability in the pursuit of individual advancement and collective progress.
Addressing examination malpractice requires more than disciplinary action against offenders. Schools and universities must maintain effective supervision, examination bodies must protect the credibility of their processes and parents and educators must encourage young people to value genuine achievement.
Consistent enforcement of regulations is equally necessary to ensure that violations attract appropriate consequences.
For ESUT, the 61st inaugural lecture provides another opportunity to connect academic scholarship with an issue of national importance. Inaugural lectures enable professors to present their areas of expertise, share scholarly insights and contribute to public discourse on matters affecting society.
Universities are expected to do more than award certificates. Their responsibility includes producing knowledge, developing critical thinking and preparing graduates whose competence can contribute meaningfully to national development.
Professor Anigbo’s lecture is therefore an opportunity for educators, policymakers and other stakeholders to reflect on how assessment practices can be strengthened and the integrity of academic qualifications preserved.
Ultimately, the success of efforts to curb examination malpractice will depend on the willingness of institutions and individuals to uphold standards even when dishonesty appears to offer an easier route to success.
As the university community gathers in Agbani for the lecture, the central issue remains clear. Nigeria’s pursuit of national renewal must include an educational system that rewards genuine knowledge, recognises competence and upholds integrity.
Hon. Johnpaul Anih, Ph.D
Author//Researcher//Journalist
