The Federal Government has announced the suspension of the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Government frowned at how some Nigerians obtained their degrees through dubious means.
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The statement said the suspension followed an investigative report by an online newspaper, which unravelled a Cotonou-based university that issued a degree certificate to an undercover journalist within six weeks.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Education has been drawn to the commendable work of investigative journalism that led to the publication by the Daily Nigerian Newspaper, dated December 30, 2023, titled Undercover: How Daily Nigerian Reporter Bagged Cotonou Varsity Degree in Six Weeks, participated in the NYSC scheme.
“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 Federal Ministry of Education vehemently decries such acts and, with effect from January 2, 2024, is suspending the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics pending the outcome of an investigation that would involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the two countries, the ministries responsible for Education in the two countries, as well as the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).”
The ministry also said it had begun 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 mill institutions, that is, institutions that exist on paper or operate in clandestine manner outside the control of regulators, is a global problem that all countries grapple with.
“FME 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.
“Periodically, warnings have been issued by the Ministry and National Universities Commission (NUC) against the resort to such institutions and, in some instances, reports 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.”