The 2019 Pharmacy graduate class of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), has raised concerns over an alleged case of academic and professional credential forgery involving an individual currently employed at the Community School of Health Science and Technology, Gusau, Zamfara State. The person, reportedly serving as an Examination Officer, is alleged not to have been a member of the 2019 graduating set.
In a public statement, the graduates called on both the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and UDUS management to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.
A check of the PCN “Verify a Pharmacist” portal by this reporter revealed no record of the individual’s professional license, raising questions about the authenticity of the claimed credentials. Examination of the degree documentation provided to this reporter highlighted inconsistencies, including:
The listing of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Pharmacy rather than the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) designation currently conferred.
The degree purportedly awarded a second class lower, a classification that is not standard under UDUS Pharmacy Department regulations, where only Distinction and Pass are typically awarded.
According to a National Universities Commission (NUC) guideline, pharmacy degrees follow strict classification rules. A minimum CGPA of 2.5 is required for graduation, with a CGPA equivalent of 4.5–5.0 qualifying for Distinction, while those below this threshold receive a Pass. The NUC document also notes that B.Sc. in Pharmacy with a second-class lower classification is not recognised under current pharmacy programme structures.
The allegations have sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with pharmacists, students, and alumni questioning both the degree and professional license. Users described the unusual presentation of the degree as potential forgery and demanded a formal investigation.
Some comments highlighted the perceived gravity of the situation. Social media user Yunus Suleiman questioned, “Is there anything like a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy nowadays? And is a pharmacy degree classified? This is obviously a low-level forgery.”
Another, Ismail Waziri Bature, added, “So na wetin we laboured for somebody dey use cheaply like this,” expressing frustration within the professional community.
The UDUS alumni class urged immediate verification of the person’s documents by both the university and the PCN, citing potential risks to academic integrity and public safety in the healthcare sector.
Attempts to obtain comments from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and UDUS management were ongoing at the time of publication.
This incident raises broader concerns about credential verification in Nigeria’s health and education sectors and highlights the need for stronger oversight mechanisms to ensure that practitioners meet established academic and professional standards.
