LASU opens up trending certificate found at ‘Suya’ spot

The management of Lagos State University (LASU) has addressed the recent discovery of a certificate at a “suya” spot in the state, confirming that the certificate was invalidated in 2013 due to an error in the bearer’s name.

“The certificate in question exists but was invalidated on February 25, 2013, because the graduate’s surname was incorrectly written as ABISOYE instead of ABIOYE,” the university said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to LASU, a new certificate with the correct surname was issued and collected by the graduate, Abisoye Azeez Oluwaseun, on September 30, 2014.

The university explained that its policy requires invalidated certificates to be shredded immediately after re-issuance, but an oversight led to the certificate ending up in the public space.

“The invalidated certificate got into the public space due to improper screening of office waste papers prior to disposal,” the statement concluded.

The certificate, which belongs to Oluwaseun, a Chemical and Polymer Engineering graduate, went viral on social media after a man found it at a “suya” spot and sought to connect with the owner.

“The University, having recovered the certificate on November 21, 2018, wishes to make the following clarifications…” the statement read.

LASU confirmed that Oluwaseun graduated with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Chemical and Polymer Engineering.

The university’s clarification comes after the certificate sparked concerns about the authenticity of academic credentials in Nigeria.