Babcock University has disowned a fake “Honorary Certificate” circulating on social media and allegedly issued to Nigerian comedian and content creator, Oderhohwo Joseph Efe, warning that those responsible for producing or using forged academic documents could face legal action.
In a statement released on Monday and shared on its official social media platforms, the university described the document as fraudulent, insisting that it did not originate from the institution.
The university said it had commenced steps to identify those behind the forgery and warned employers, professional bodies and members of the public against accepting or relying on the document.
The controversy dates back to September 23, 2025, when Carter Efe, during a livestream, claimed he graduated from Babcock University with a First Class Honours degree in Biochemistry.
“I went to Babcock University and graduated with first-class honours. Go and ask. I studied Biochemistry. I was the best in my set. Make una no use me dey play o,” the content creator had said.
He later repeated the claim on his X (formerly Twitter) account, with many social media users dismissing the comments as part of his comic persona.
However, the issue resurfaced in June 2026 after a purported honorary certificate bearing the university’s name, logo and official seal began circulating online, appearing to validate the earlier claim.
Babcock University said a review of the document revealed several glaring inconsistencies.
According to the institution, the certificate referred to a “Babcock University Biochemistry Computer Club,” an entity that does not exist within the university.
It explained that the Department of Biochemistry is housed under the Benjamin S. Carson (Snr) College of Health and Medical Sciences, while the Computer Club operates independently within the School of Computing and Engineering Sciences.
The university said the document wrongly combined the two units into a non-existent organisation.
The institution also pointed out that the certificate described the recipient as having obtained a “First Class Upper,” stressing that such an academic classification does not exist at Babcock University.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no academic classification or degree known to Babcock University as ‘First Class Upper’. The recognised classification is First Class Honours,” the statement said.
It further clarified that no student club, department or faculty has the authority to confer degrees, honours or academic titles, noting that only official certificates and academic transcripts issued by the Office of the Registrar are recognised by the university.
The university warned that the production, circulation or use of forged academic certificates constitutes a serious offence.
It added that anyone found using fake academic documents for employment, admission, promotion, immigration or any other official purpose could face prosecution in accordance with the law.
Babcock reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of its academic qualifications and urged employers, institutions and members of the public to verify academic credentials through appropriate official channels before accepting them.
