The Nigerian government has uncovered over 22,700 citizens holding fake degree certificates from unaccredited universities in Benin Republic and Togo.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, during a press conference marking his first year in office.
According to the minister, more than 21,600 of these fake certificates were issued by unaccredited institutions in Benin Republic, while about 1,105 were obtained from similar unaccredited universities in Togo. Some of these cases were identified through records from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other sources.
Mamman noted that the actual number of fake certificate holders is likely higher, as some individuals may have avoided participating in the NYSC or other activities that would have revealed their credentials.
He expressed concern that these fake certificates have been used to secure employment in both government and private sectors, disadvantaging those with legitimate qualifications.
He also revealed that a circular is being prepared by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to identify and prosecute individuals with fake degrees.
“Private sector operators are also encouraged to carry out further investigations on their staff who are parading foreign certificates and ensure that anyone parading a certificate obtained from these countries between 2019 and 2023 is fished out and handed over to the Federal Ministry of Education for prosecution. Because the circular from the Head of Service will also be binding on private sector operators,” he said.
The Minister clarified that only five universities in Benin Republic and three in Togo are accredited to offer degree programs, and graduates from these institutions are exempt from punitive measures.
This crackdown follows an investigative report by Umar Audu of the *Daily Nigerian* newspaper, which exposed the operations of degree mills in Benin Republic and Togo.
The reporter revealed how he obtained a degree within six weeks and even proceeded to embark on mandatory youth service under the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
Audu, who reached out to the syndicate that specialises in selling degree certificates in December 2022, graduated in February 2023 and was issued a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication certificate from the Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies, Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The report led to the Nigerian government banning the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from these countries.
In response, Mamman emphasized the government’s commitment to removing holders of fake degrees from both Nigerian and foreign universities from the system.
The recommendations include stricter admissions processes via the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) and mandatory submission of matriculation lists by universities.
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