By Abasi Ita
There are strong indications that the Cross River State Government has concluded plans to launch a comprehensive forensic audit of academic and professional certificates held by civil servants, beginning in January 2026.
The initiative, described by insiders as one of the most far reaching reforms in the state’s recent administrative history, is designed to uncover falsified documents, correct irregular promotions and restore integrity to the state workforce.
Senior government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the decision followed increasing evidence that a troubling number of civil servants, including senior officers, have advanced their careers using forged or questionable qualifications.
One official referenced an especially alarming case involving a serving Permanent Secretary who is alleged to be parading a doctorate degree from a university that has not yet produced its first set of bachelor’s degree graduates.
“This is not just irregular. It is impossible. Such cases undermine the credibility of the entire civil service and must be addressed decisively,” the source said.
Investigators have also uncovered widespread manipulation of grade levels, with some officers accused of falsifying entry qualifications or altering official records to obtain unearned promotions. According to officials, the audit will require such individuals to revert to their rightful grade levels or exit the service entirely.
The forensic exercise will include detailed verification of certificates, transcripts, professional licenses and industry specific qualifications submitted by civil servants at different stages of their careers. Analysts will examine the authenticity, origin and validity of these documents in line with regulatory standards.
“We will be scrutinizing every certificate, every promotion and every professional credential. The goal is to ensure that only qualified, competent and duly certified personnel remain in the system,” another source explained. “For professions that depend heavily on technical expertise and safety standards, including engineering, health, environmental services and other technical fields, compliance checks will be rigorous.”
Governor Bassey Otu has reportedly given full support to the operation, describing it as essential to building a functional and trustworthy civil service. He believes the audit will strengthen productivity, improve accountability and restore public confidence in state institutions.
Observers note that the exercise may have wide ranging consequences, especially as calls grow for similar scrutiny of political officeholders and appointees. Some members of the public have urged the government to extend the audit to elected officials, insisting that integrity should be enforced across all tiers.
The proposed initiative has already generated anxiety among some public servants and political officeholders who may be affected.
Once concluded, the audit is expected to reposition the Cross River civil service by ensuring that merit, and not falsified credentials, determines career progression and service delivery.