Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The University of Makeni (UniMak) has taken a rare and decisive step by officially revoking the academic degrees awarded to two former students following confirmed cases of academic misconduct involving falsified transcripts submitted during an international scholarship application.
In a unanimous decision during a Senate meeting held on July 6, 2025, UniMak rescinded the degrees of Ms. Fatmata R. Sesay, a graduate of the Department of Human Resource Management conferred on March 19, 2022, and Mr. Abdul Karim S. Kanu, a graduate of the Department of Law conferred on March 20, 2021.
The disciplinary action was prompted by a formal notification from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sierra Leone, which reported that both individuals had submitted fraudulent academic records to secure scholarships designated for Sierra Leonean students.
Following this alert, the university established a Senate Investigation Committee, which conducted a comprehensive inquiry. The investigation confirmed the falsification of transcripts and uncovered additional irregularities.
Both Sesay and Kanu admitted to the misconduct during the investigation.
Rev. Fr. Dr. George P. Ernest Gbimanaja, UniMak’s Director of Academic Affairs, expressed that although the decision was difficult, it was imperative to preserve the integrity of the university’s academic standards. “The credibility of our academic awards is fundamental to UniMak’s mission,” he stated. “Any act that undermines that credibility not only damages our reputation but also threatens the future of honest students who earn their qualifications through genuine effort. The Senate had no choice but to act decisively.”
The university’s Registrar, Mr. Foday Augustine Bangura, confirmed that the revocations are final and that the relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, the Tertiary Education Commission, the Chinese Embassy, and professional accreditation bodies, have been duly informed.
This incident marks one of the few instances in Sierra Leone where a university has formally rescinded academic qualifications due to verified misconduct.
Education analysts view the move as a strong statement of UniMak’s unwavering commitment to academic integrity, emphasizing the importance of upholding standards in the country’s higher education sector.
UniMak reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on academic fraud, assuring the public and international partners of its dedication to maintaining the integrity and value of its academic credentials.
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