Following an exposure of certificate racketeering of higher institutions in Togo and Benin Republic, the Federal Government has suspended the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from both West African countries.
Investigations by a Nigerian journalist Umar Audu had revealed a massive scale of certificate forgery and scam perpetuated by agents in those countries and their Nigerian collaborators. The reports noted that a Bachelor’s degree certificate, which normally lasts for four years, can be obtained in six weeks.
Reacting to the development Tuesday, the Federal Ministry of Education said accreditations for all institutions from Togo and Benin have been suspended pending the outcome of investigations.
“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,” said a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Press, Ministry of Education, Augustina Obilor-Duru.
“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 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.’’
She also said that periodically, warnings had been issued by the ministry and the National Universities Commission against such institutions, adding that in some instances, reports were made to security agencies to clamp down on the perpetrators.
“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,’’ she said.
