By Isiaka Qudus
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) takes pride in academic discipline, intellectual heritage, and is the most peaceful institution known for its standards in academic space. As one of the foremost universities in Nigeria, it has constantly produced meaningful personalities who have helped in various aspects of life within and beyond the country. The majority of the students have a great passion for the reputation that commands respect and dignity for the institution. However, the challenges of recurring delay in examination results are a serious concern from various faculties and departments of the institution, which leaves the concerned students in a contemplative mood and requires a proactive mechanism from the school management.
Examination results are not ordinary numbers or grades in the students portal but an avenue for the subject (students) to prepare and plan ahead for the next step– semester or session. It enable the students make a tangible assessment of their weaknesses and strengths in their choice of courses. The results also determine promotion, probation, and graduation of students. If the results are delayed (as it is), it hinders the students from discerning the way forward to register for the semester, session, or proceeding to clearance for graduation, and for their names to be among the approved senate lists.
For final year students, the delay in results affects them not to be mobilized for a year National Youth Services Corp(NYSC) as soon as possible, missed convocation and senate approval list which determine or qualify them as graduating students. Prolonged delay in results not only undermines the efforts of the lecturers but also reflects on the standard built for so many years.
Moreover, the delay in examination results showed that UDUS operates with some challenges that only occur from the system of Nigeria’s education. If a system fails, the part will be affected. These problems can’t be underestimated by the government, including inadequate space in institutions, administrative bottlenecks from the faculties and departments, and a large population of students. However, the issue of industrial actions caused by the government affects the academic calendar which makes the whole academic activities to be inconsistent. In line with these challenges, kudos to the lecturers who worked for the sincerity and progress of academic standards in the various institutions.
Nevertheless, the absence of clear communication from the school management in various faculties and departments on the cause of delay in the examination results or realistic timeline for the release, demands a cognizant and proactive approach. Students are merely aware, and fear to channel their challenges through class representatives, department presidents and faculty presidents whose major roles are to bridge the communication gap between their colleagues and lecturers.
As a federal institution competing nationally and globally in an academic space, the timely release of results prompt the students to apply for opportunities, scholarships and fellowships among their peers across the nation and beyond. Persistent delay of results can weaken confidence among students, parents, alumni, lecturers and other stakeholders.
This editorial calls upon the school management, university’s senate, council, Deans of faculties and Heads of departments to treat timely release of results as a core academic role. Where necessary, a digital processing system should help to strengthen and reduce human and administrative delay. On the other hand, students should channel their complaints to the appropriate authorities. Advocacy should remain constructive, peaceful and based on solutions rather than confrontation.
In conclusion, examination results at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto should not be granted at convenience. They are academic rights earned through discipline, attendance, compliance and performance. A university that demands excellence from its students must equally demonstrate excellence in its administration.