Fake research output inimical to national development — Prof Akinriade

The President, Nigerian Academy of Letters, Professor Sola Akinriade has warned that fake research output is dangerous to national development, saying the practice must be effectively tackled.

He also stressed the need for the Federal Government to appoint credible individuals, who understood the demands of the academics, into the governing council of the various institutions in the country.

Fielding questions from journalists at a two-day workshop organised for Early Career Scholars in the Humanities on proposal writing and grantsmanship at the Osun State University, Osogbo, he stressed the need for caution on researches emanating from various institutions.

According to him, the many talented scholars due to lack of access to research grant resort to cutting corners to generate data for their research.

“And when you manufacture data, the likelihood is that the output is going to be fake, and if national development is predicted on fake research, then there is a problem because policies, programmes and projects might be instituted based on the findings of such reports and that is dangerous for the nation which is why we must support quality research through quality funding just like TETfund is doing.