Prof. Onimisi Abdullah of the Department of Social Science Education at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has revealed that male students exhibit a higher tendency to cheat in examinations compared to their female counterparts.
This insight was shared during the university’s 266th lecture, where Prof. Abdullah presented a paper titled, “A Psychological Perspective on the Systemic Inconsistencies in the Nigerian Educational System.”
Prof. Abdullah’s study aimed to understand student psychology and identify the factors influencing cheating behaviours among students in federal universities across Nigeria.
Using a sample of 268 final-year students from various programmes, a 50-item developmental psychology test was administered.
Each student’s response was scored and documented by researchers, and they were later allowed to mark their scripts after lecturers dictated the correct answers.
The study’s design provided students with an opportunity to alter their answers, revealing their inclination to cheat if they desired.
The results were striking: 70.5% of the students showed cheating behaviours, with male students demonstrating a notably higher tendency to engage in dishonest practices than female students.
Prof. Abdullah explained that the study found a direct correlation between cheating tendencies and students’ academic abilities.
Students who were low achievers were more likely to resort to cheating, indicating that a lack of confidence in their academic performance may drive this behaviour.
Prof. Abdullah called for a shift away from the traditional examination-based assessment system.
He advocated for the development of more objective methods of evaluating learning outcomes to reduce the prevalence of cheating.
Additionally, he urged the government to implement educational policies that are grounded in African personality, moral values, and ethics, to foster a more ethical academic environment.