Sex-for-marks syndrome: Varsities need more whistle-blowers, says Pro-Chancellor

Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, the Pro-Chancellor, Crawford University, Igbesa in Ogun, on Wednesday called for more whistle-blowers to stem the tide of sex-for-marks syndrome in the university system.
Ibidapo-Obe made the suggestion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos while reflecting on ways to curb the menace in the country’ university system.
“Sex-for-marks syndrome is a terrible one in the university system; it is not only terrible morally, but also lowers the prestige that is attached to university graduates.
“The syndrome is like a company that has its product polluted; it is a terrible situation and I think we need sanity in the university system.
“I think those caught in the act should be summarily dismissed without hesitation and that is the autonomy for the university that we are talking about.
“Universities should be allowed to carry out their functions independently because this sex-for-marks syndrome is outrageous and I want more whistleblowers in our universities,’’ he said.
The pro-chancellor said that university graduates should be able to defend their certificates.
He said that if the syndrome was not checked by the universities, the menace would affect the integrity of certificates issued by them.
“The certificates from universities should be ones with integrity and the graduates should be able to defend their certificates.
“Our graduates must have confidence in the certificates we are issuing out and sex-for-marks menace will do us no good; it is something we must all fight against.
“I do not think the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will oppose the disciplinary measures against those that are caught in the act,” he said.
NAN reports that some university lecturers had been dismissed by their employers for involving in sex-for-marks grades.
Some of them are: Dr Sunkanmi Odubunmi, an Associate Professor of Economics, as well as Dr Ajani Ogunwande, also an Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry; both from LASU had been dismissed from the school.
Also, a lecturer at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, Dr. Olaleye Aduwo, was dismissed by his employer after it discovered that he was involved in sex-for-grades scandal.