Abstract

The study investigated the prevalence rate of academic dishonesty, ascertained predisposing factors, effects as well as providing information on the strategies to curb the menace. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The samples comprised 497 undergraduates and 93 lecturers that were selected across five faculties in the university using multistage sampling techniques. An adapted instrument titled “Questionnaire on Academic Dishonesty and Panacea (QADP) was used to collect data from the respondents. Data collected were analysed using percentages, relative significant index and rank order. The results showed that 169(34%) of the students demonstrated a high prevalence rate of academic dishonesty. It showed that high parental expectations (RSI = 0.807); fear of failing a course or scoring lower grades (RSI = 0.794) and excessive workload on students (RSI = 0.791) were the predisposing factors. Also, the result showed that the effects of academic dishonesty included an unmerited certification/assessment of students (RSI = 0.805), turning-out of half-baked graduates (RSI = 0.7942). Also, destruction of the school’s reputation (RSI = 0.791). Lastly, the result showed that strategies to curb the menace could be giving students more time to prepare for the exam or submit the assignment (RSI = 0.852), promoting the culture of academic integrity in schools (RSI = 0.844) and effective teaching delivery (RSI = 0.839). It was concluded that proper students' and stakeholders’ orientation on the culture of academic integrity, as well as the public condemnation, would be appropriate to reduce the high rate of academic dishonesty among undergraduates.