Tansian University has been embroiled in crisis since its inception in 2007, facing continuous struggles with governance, administrative instability, and questionable appointments. These challenges have now reached a boiling point with the recent appointment of Mr. Innocent Ukeh as Acting Registrar, a move that violates National Universities Commission (NUC) regulations and exposes deeper rot within the institution’s leadership.
This latest scandal is not an isolated incident but rather the culmination of years of mismanagement that have threatened the reputation and future of Tansian University. Mr. Ukeh’s appointment raises serious questions about the university’s commitment to upholding academic standards and protecting the interests of its students.
At the center of this controversy is the forged letter of appointment Mr. Ukeh has used to claim his position as Deputy Registrar prior to his promotion. The letter, allegedly signed by the late founder of the university, has been proven to be a forgery, revealing an audacious attempt to legitimize a role for which he has no rightful claim. This act of forgery is more than just a criminal offense—it is an attack on the institutional integrity of Tansian University.
The position of Registrar is vital to the smooth running of any university. The Registrar’s office is responsible for managing student records, coordinating admissions, overseeing examinations, and handling official correspondence, making it one of the most sensitive and crucial administrative roles. To have an unqualified and inexperienced individual occupying this post threatens to jeopardize the academic and administrative framework that underpins the university’s operations.
A closer look at Mr. Ukeh’s background reveals glaring inadequacies that disqualify him from holding such a pivotal office. He has never worked as academic or administrative staff at Tansian University, making his sudden leap into a principal administrative role highly irregular and inappropriate. His academic qualification—a third-class degree in philosophy from a seminary school—falls short of the standard expected for administrative leadership in Nigerian universities.
More alarming are reports concerning his conduct during his time at the seminary and subsequently with the Missionary Sons of Blessed Iwene Tansi. Mr. Ukeh was rusticated from the seminary due to misconduct and expelled from the missionary group for “bad conduct” and “non-pious activities,” including moral lapses. This history of disciplinary problems and moral shortcomings is incompatible with the responsibilities of a senior university officer entrusted with maintaining discipline and upholding institutional values.
The integrity of the university’s administration is further compromised by what appears to be a deliberate effort to manipulate official documents and subvert established appointment procedures. The forged appointment letter is symptomatic of a broader problem of forgery and certificate racketeering within the institution. These fraudulent activities threaten to erode the university’s reputation and, by extension, the value of degrees awarded to its students.
The NUC has established clear guidelines to prevent such abuses and maintain high standards within Nigerian universities. These regulations include stringent requirements on qualifications and experience for staff in key administrative and academic positions. Tansian University’s blatant disregard for these rules undermines not only its own credibility but also the regulatory framework designed to protect educational quality nationwide.
It is therefore imperative that the NUC urgently steps in to conduct a forensic audit and comprehensive review of appointments at Tansian University. This investigation should examine not only Mr. Ukeh’s case but also the broader administrative structure, rooting out forgery, academic fraud, and unqualified personnel who threaten the university’s survival.
The consequences of inaction are dire. Students whose academic records and futures are under the control of unqualified and morally compromised officials face uncertainty and risk. Employers and other educational institutions that rely on the integrity of Tansian University’s certifications will find their trust severely eroded.
Parents and stakeholders have a right to demand accountability and transparency from the university. No child should be subjected to an education system where administration is riddled with fraud and incompetence. The presence of individuals like Mr. Ukeh in critical leadership roles endangers the safety, academic progress, and wellbeing of students.
Tansian University’s prolonged crisis illustrates a wider problem in parts of Nigeria’s private higher education sector, where lax oversight and personal ambitions sometimes override meritocracy and regulatory compliance. If these issues are not addressed decisively, more institutions risk becoming hotbeds of administrative corruption and academic malpractice.
The university’s founders and loyalists must act now to reclaim the institution from those who seek to exploit it for personal gain. Upholding the values of transparency, accountability, and academic excellence is the only path forward.
In conclusion, the appointment of Mr. Innocent Ukeh as Acting Registrar, based on forged documents and an unremarkable academic and moral record, highlights a serious threat to the future of Tansian University. The NUC’s intervention is urgently needed to restore order and ensure that Nigerian universities remain credible centers of learning.
The ivory towers are meant to be sanctuaries of knowledge and integrity, not playgrounds for forgers and impostors. For the sake of Nigeria’s educational future and the countless students depending on it, such malpractice must be stopped.
The time for complacency is over. It is time for decisive action to protect the sanctity of our universities, safeguard the interests of students, and preserve the dignity of Nigerian higher education.
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