FG Suspends Acceptance of Degree Certificates from Togo, Benin Republic

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics.

The Federal Ministry of Education made the announcement through a statement issued by the press unit of the ministry and signed by Mrs. Augustina Obilor-Duru, an Assistant Director.

The suspension is obviously a fallout of an investigative report by the Daily Nigerian Newspaper which revealed a cartel that specializes in purchasing degree certificates from fake higer institutions in the affected countries.

The report published on December 30, 2023 is titled:  “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in six weeks, participated in NYSC scheme.”

The Nigerian government according to its statement is however, currently investigating the scandal and has promised to involve ministries responsible for education in the affected countries as well as the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The ministry commended the newspaper for its report, part of the statement reads:

“This report lends credence to suspicions that some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a Degree with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified.

“The ministry has also commenced internal administrative processes to determine the culpability or otherwise of her staff for which applicable Public Service Rules would be applied.

“The issue of degree mills institutions, i.e institutions that exist on paper or operate in a clandestine manner outside the control of regulators is a global problem that all countries grapple with.

“The ministry has been contending with the problem including illegal institutions located abroad or at home preying on unsuspecting, innocent Nigerians and some desperate Nigerians who deliberately patronise such outlets,’’

 

“The ministry will continue to review its strategy to plug any loopholes, processes and procedures and deal decisively with any conniving officials

“The Ministry had always adopted the global standard for evaluation and accreditation of certificates of all forms which relies on receipt of the list of accredited courses and schools in all countries of the world.

“The ministry wishes to assure Nigerians and the general public that, it is already putting in place mechanisms to sanitise the education sector.

“ This, including dissuading the quest for degree certificates (locally or from foreign countries) through a re-invigorated focus on inclusivity, reliance on all skill sets as directed by President Bola Tinubu.”