by Festus Ogun

It is a naked truth that corruption is in all spheres of life in Nigeria. Corruption has polluted the air we breath in and as such, we find it a very difficult task to avoid corruption – since the importance of air to the body cannot be overestimated.

In our religious places, politics, economy and even the education sector, we have a high rate of corruption.

In the last one year however, the emphasis of all “corrupt-talks” have been about corruption of those in government. People seem to care less about corruption in other aspect of the economy. Many felt unconcerned about ‘others’ and as such the corruption rate in these other places skyrocket day-after-day.

Even, suffice it to say that corruption in other places are much than of the government. We have not been able to detect this fact because of our non-nonchalant attitude towards the nation and we have equally been unsuspecting citizens. In fact, corruption rate looms every seconds in other sectors of the economy, apart from the government.

Let’s look beyond corruption among government officials and that which we have in our ministries. Lets look beyond those we have in our local government areas; the “farest” government to the people. Let’s look beyond all those ones. Let’s, at least for the purpose of this piece, focus on corruption in our education sector.

It shouldn’t appear news to anyone conscious of happening in this society of ours, hearing that corruption is prevalent in our universities, polytechnics and colleges.

It is so disheartening to see the dry-headed monster called corruption eating so deep into the fabric of our educational sector and higher institutions.

Corruption has beclouded our big brains. Nigeria is so corrupt that the education process which is meant to re-orientate the future leaders on the evil of corruption to a country like Nigeria have been largely overtaken by corruption.

It is getting so deep in this time of ours. It’s getting out of hand. The truth is that: the higher institutions of learning is meant to serve as a pace-setter to other institutions particularly in area of corruption.

It is meant to produce graduate whose orientation will not be stained by corruption. But, here in Nigeria, the institutions of learning seem to be the most appropriate place where the art of corruption is learnt. This is pathetic and embarrassing.

Both students and lecturers are so guilty of the offence of corruption. Bribery by the students and collection by the lecturers. In fact, when corruption looms the most is the admission period.

In Nigeria today, offering admission is no more on the basis of merit. It is simply a matter of “who you know” and “how much you have” and it’s no more a matter of “what you know”. Those who worth no admission are been admitted and those admission worthy are denied admission.

Though, offering admission is the choice of the institution, but the point is, it should be on the basis of merit and transparency. Admission processes in Nigeria is not transparent. It is been manipulated. No one gets admitted for free.

Everyone now sees this as a normal phenomenon. Those who loves to be honest too have no option than to join the bandwagon of corrupt people, for if they do not join them, they are at risk of getting no admission. And since the importance of getting admitted can never be underestimated, admission corruption rate lingers.

An evidence to the corruption-in-admission process is the JAMB “runz” and “miracle centres”. The  use of these words among our people is too evident to be ignored. What is miraculous about admission? I don’t really understand.

It simply symbolizes the high rate of corruption in admission processes. And this foolish and embarrassing act have continued since nobody is complaining about it and no law is regulating these people. Do I just mentioned there is no law? There are laws but they are not respected and enforced. It is pitiable.

The effect of admission corruption is very glaring, even to the born-blind. Admission corruption is the Kilimanjaro height of injustice. In fact, it is a means of societal oppression. The haves are being protected while the have-nots are largely discarded.

This breeds injustice and discrimination. Additionally, it is also a tool for societal disintegration. The competent ‘unadmitted’ students are mainly those that later involve in criminal activities.

Also, it will certainly affect the future. The corruption spirit, which this present government is working to stamp out of us, is being passed from generation to generation through admission corruption and other educational corruption.

Having highlighted some of the demerits of admission corruption to national development, it is then sacrosanct to draw the attention of government to this issue. Though the government is aware of the corruption in this aspect of the economy, this piece however is serving as a reminder.

Though, the government of the day is fighting corruption but the fact is that emphasis is being placed mostly on governmental corruption. Waging war against opposition and other corrupt officials is not the only solution to our problems.

lnfact, they are not the only corrupt persons in Nigeria. The war should be extended beyond that. Buhari should take serious consideration of admission corruption too. I pray for his success!
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Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

Festus Ogun is Law undergraduate of OOU, writer and human rights activist. He can be reached via [email protected]