**Professor's Dilemma: Standing Up for Academic Integrity at COOU** In the halls of learning, a battle of wits has been unfolding at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU). At the centre of the controversy is Professor Chike Osegbue, a respected academic in the Department of Political Science. He has been at odds with the university administration over the suspension he received after refusing to administer exams to students who didn't meet the required criteria. Professor Osegbue's suspension is a result of his decision not to participate in what he terms "certificate racketeering practices" at the university. He believes that students who were admitted less than a month before the exams and failed to attend lectures should not be awarded grades or certificates. This stance has put him at odds with the university administration and has sparked a debate about academic integrity in Nigeria's higher education system. According to Professor Osegbue, the university's postgraduate board failed to follow due process in admitting students for the course in question. He argues that postgraduate students are required to attend at least 75% of lectures, which these students failed to meet. In his view, it is unfair to award them grades or certificates when they didn't put in the required effort. The professor's stance has implications for the university's reputation and the public's perception of academic standards in Nigeria. If the university compromises on academic integrity, it sets a bad precedent for other institutions and undermines the value of degrees awarded in the country. Professor Osegbue's courage in standing up for what he believes in is a testament to the importance of academic integrity. His actions may have far-reaching consequences for the university and the higher education sector as a whole. As the battle unfolds, one thing is clear: the integrity of our universities is at stake, and it's up to academics like Professor Osegbue to fight for what's right.