Increase in Transcript Requests Driven by ‘Japa’ Trend, says Unilag VC

By Charles Maduka

Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, has disclosed that the “japa” trend has caused a rise in the number of transcript requests from alumni.

The “Japa” trend refers to the spate of emigration of Nigerians to seek opportunities abroad.

Speaking at UNILAG’s 2024 International Week and 17th Annual Research Conference, themed “Inclusive Digital Transformation and the University Promise,” Prof. Ogunsola noted that many alumni, including those who graduated 30 to 40 years ago, are returning to the university to request their transcripts.

Prof. Ogunsola also mentioned the university’s efforts to improve infrastructure on its three campuses, despite the challenges of Nigeria’s electricity problems, which can damage digital equipment.

She highlighted the progress made with the introduction of a student information management system, which she said has simplified some processes.

However according to her, the “japa” syndrome has led to more demand for transcripts.

“We now get requests from people who graduated 30 or 40 years ago, which means we have to go through old paper records,” she explained.

“Graduates from 2010 onwards have fewer issues because their records are already digital.”

Also speaking on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI), Prof. Ogunsola described it as both helpful and challenging.

She said that while AI can gather vast amounts of data from the internet, it sometimes struggles to tell the difference between reliable and false information.

“It’s important to learn how to properly frame questions, or ‘prompts,’ to get good results from AI,” she said.