Following the Federal government’s clamp down on all certificates issues by higher institutions in Benin Republic and Togo, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in both countries have asked the government to consider the fate of over 15,000 Nigerian students who are currently studying there.
The Federal Ministry of Education had withdrawn accreditations for higher institutions in the two countries after reports emerged that certificates are being awarded on cash and carry basis and four-year courses could last for three weeks. The Ministry has also threatened to extend the ban to other countries like Uganda, Kenya, even Niger [Republic].
But speaking on Channels TV Sunrise talk show Thursday, the NANS president of Benin Republic Ugochukwu Favour said the government should consider legitimately admitted students.
“For now, I will say that the Federal Government should look into the issue. Now, you can’t, because it is happening in this school, punish everyone because it involved close to 15,000 students in the Benin Republic,” Mr. Favour said.
He added that the government should step up investigations and punish those involved in the scam, instead of a sweeping ban.
“I have really not validated if it has been happening for a long time. This is just like what just came out on social media and we are still trying to find out how long it has been happening,” the NANS president said. “So, that is why I set up a committee as the president to investigate it.”
