Babcock University in Ogun State has threatened legal action against content creator and comedian Carter Efe after dismissing as fake a certificate he shared online claiming he graduated with a “First Class Upper” degree in Biochemistry.
In a public notice released on Monday, the university described the certificate linked to Carter Efe, whose real name is Oderhohwo Joseph Efe, as “false, unauthorised, and fraudulent,” saying it was not issued by the institution.
The issue started after Carter Efe told content creator Egungun of Lagos in an interview that he graduated from Babcock University with first-class honours in Biochemistry. He later posted what he called his graduation certificate on X, showing he graduated in 2023.
Babcock University said the document was fake and pointed to several errors, including the use of “First Class Upper,” which it said is not one of its academic classifications.
“The attention of Babcock University has been drawn to the circulation of fraudulent documents by certain individuals falsely claiming to have affiliations with, and possessing honorary certificates and academic distinctions purportedly issued by the University,” the statement read.
The university also identified a document said to have been issued by the “Babcock University Biochemistry Computer Club” to Oderhohwo Joseph Efe for earning a “First Class Upper,” declaring it fake.
“Babcock University unequivocally states that this document is false, unauthorized, and does not emanate from the University,” it said.
The management said it does not issue honorary certificates for undergraduate academic performance. It added that academic excellence is recognised only through official degree certificates and transcripts issued by the Office of the Registrar.
“There is no academic classification or degree known to Babcock University as ‘First Class Upper’. The recognized classification is First Class Honours,” the statement added.
The university warned the public not to rely on the certificate or similar documents and said anyone caught producing, using or circulating forged academic records could face investigation and prosecution. It added that civil and criminal proceedings had begun against anyone unlawfully using its name, logo, seal or academic credentials.
It also posted on X: “Fraud Alert. Babcock University warns the public of forged certificates in circulation, including fake ‘Honorary’ ones with a non-existent ‘First Class Upper’ classification. We do not issue such documents. ‘First Class Upper’ doesn’t exist here. Legal action underway.”
