Minister of Education, Tahir Mammam
In a significant development, the Nigerian government has temporarily halted the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates obtained from universities in Benin and Togo. This decision, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, follows an exposé by Daily Nigerian revealing certificate racketeering in a Benin-based university.
Augustina Obilor-Duru, speaking on behalf of the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, conveyed that the suspension is a response to concerns raised by the investigative report.
The report exposed potential misuse of means to obtain degrees, with the ultimate goal of securing graduate job opportunities.
The ministry has emphasized that the suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of a thorough investigation involving the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education in Nigeria, the affected countries (Benin and Togo), as well as collaboration with the State Security Service (SSS) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Addressing the broader issue of degree mills and illegal institutions operating beyond regulatory control, the ministry acknowledged this as a global challenge. Periodic warnings have been issued to caution Nigerians against patronizing such institutions, and the government remains committed to reviewing strategies to prevent the exploitation of unsuspecting individuals.
The undercover report by Daily Nigerian exposed a troubling scenario where a reporter, posing as a student, obtained a degree certificate in Mass Communication from ESGT, a university in Cotonou, Benin. The process allegedly took six weeks without attending classes or undergoing examinations.
The ministry pledged to decisively address any identified loopholes, enhance processes, and deal firmly with any officials involved in facilitating such practices.
