By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The University of Makeni (UniMak) has revoked the academic degrees of two of its former students after investigations confirmed they engaged in academic fraud by presenting falsified transcripts in a foreign scholarship competition.
At its sitting on July 6, 2025, the University Senate unanimously resolved to withdraw the certificates of Ms. Fatmata R. Sesay from the Department of Human Resource, whose degree was awarded on March 19, 2022, and Mr. Abdul Karim S. Kanu from the Department of Law, awarded on March 20, 2021.
The decision followed a formal notification from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sierra Leone. According to the embassy, the two former students had submitted falsified academic documents in a scholarship program for Sierra Leonean students. The discovery triggered a thorough review at UniMak to determine the authenticity of their academic records.
A Senate Investigation Committee was immediately convened to examine the matter. After weeks of inquiry, the committee confirmed that the documents were falsified. Further scrutiny also revealed other irregularities connected to the two students’ academic records. During the hearings, both individuals admitted to the allegations, leading to the Senate’s unanimous decision to revoke their qualifications.
Speaking on the matter, Rev. Fr. Dr. George P. Ernest Gbamanja, Director of Academic Affairs at UniMak, said the decision was painful but necessary to preserve the credibility of the institution.
“This was a very painful but necessary decision,” he stressed. “The credibility of our academic awards is at the core of UniMak’s mission. Any act that undermines that credibility not only damages our reputation but also jeopardizes the future of honest students who work hard to earn their qualifications. The Senate had no option but to act firmly.”
Registrar of the University, Mr. Foday Augustine Bangura, emphasized that the decision is final and binding. He added that the revocation has already been communicated to the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, the Tertiary Education Commission, the Chinese Embassy, accrediting bodies, and relevant professional institutions to ensure transparency and accountability.
Education analysts have described the development as a landmark in Sierra Leone’s higher education sector. Degree withdrawals on grounds of proven misconduct are extremely rare, but many see UniMak’s action as a bold statement of its zero-tolerance stance on academic fraud. They argue that such firm action strengthens public confidence in the country’s higher education system.
The move has also been interpreted as a signal to students and professionals that academic qualifications must be earned through genuine effort and integrity. In an era where competition for scholarships and international opportunities is high, institutions are increasingly under pressure to safeguard their academic reputation and ensure that dishonest practices do not tarnish their image.
The University of Makeni reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the sanctity of its qualifications and assured the public and international partners that it will continue to uphold the highest standards of honesty and professionalism. Officials say the case serves as a strong warning that breaches of academic integrity will not be tolerated under any circumstance.
By revoking the degrees, UniMak has not only preserved the credibility of its awards but also set a precedent that is likely to resonate across Sierra Leone’s academic community.
