TACKLING QUACKERY AND FALSE REPRESENTATION

 Regulators must do more to ensure only qualified people are signed on

The recent directive by the federal government on the misuse of honorary doctorate degrees in the country is in the right direction. But against the background of reports that whistleblowers who expose politicians who parade dubious credentials are being hunted by the current administration, it may just be another public relations stunt. Yet, this is a malaise we must fight. “This is not just a matter of ethics; it is a matter of law. Using the title ‘Dr’ based on an honorary degree without clarification amounts to false representation, which is punishable under various fraud-related laws in Nigeria,” according to the National Universities Commission (NUC) Executive Secretary, Abdullahi Ribadu, who also announced a ban on the conferment of such honorary degrees on serving public officials.

We live in a country where many make claims they cannot substantiate, and there are no consequences while the media cannot be exonerated from this national parade of shame. When people arrange for some of these dubious titles or certificates, especially politicians, the media immediately begin to address them by these bogus labels. Soon, it becomes a manner of speaking, and the rest is added, to the detriment of society. Only last week, the chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Luqman Ogunjimi, spoke about the dangers posed by quacks in the profession to the health of the people. “If you are not a doctor, don’t attempt to practice as a doctor. And if, as a community, we notice someone who is not a doctor practising as one, we should blow the whistle and alert either the government or our association,” said Ogunjimi.

 We agree with Ogunjimi on the danger posed by quacks in the medical profession. But this is a malaise that cuts across all professions and critical areas of our national life. Such is the level of the menace that in 2016, a fake medical doctor was discovered to have served for nine years at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) where he rose to Grade 13 level. Even when Nigeria is not lacking in professionals in any field of human endeavour, the failure of the regulatory agencies to properly perform their supervisory roles has given way to situations where quacks have taken over in many industries. In Nigeria today, fake policemen are all over the place, doing damage to both the institution and the society just as fake soldiers are rampant. In fact, there is hardly any professional field today where these fraudsters have not invaded.  

 However, if our society must advance, we must deal with this quackery that is so pervasive in every sector. But more worrisome is the realisation that many top decision makers in our public services are people who conned their way into critical positions without the qualifications they claim. Underlining the danger that impostors pose to the system, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria once said, “Judges find it difficult to identify which counsel, appearing before them, is genuine or otherwise. Of even greater concern is the fact that members of the public are often left in a quandary over who they can place their trust, property and even lives in.” 

We call on the regulatory authorities, including professional bodies, to put in place measures that will checkmate the antics of these fraudsters.