The federal government has taken a drastic measure against universities operating from Togo and the Republic of Benin for alleged certificate racketeering.
Consequently, the ministry of education yesterday announced the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from universities in the two West African countries, just as the National Universities Commission (NUC) banned 18 non-accredited foreign universities operating in Nigeria for allegedly running degree factories.
The directive affected five universities from the United States, six from the United Kingdom, and three Ghanaian tertiary institutions.
The action taken against the Beninese and Togolese universities followed a report by a Nigerian newspaper, Daily Nigerian, which in its December 30, 2023 report, exposed how its undercover reporter who had already graduated from a Nigerian university and served the nation’s one year mandatory National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, bagged a Cotonou varsity degree in six weeks and participated in the NYSC scheme.
Reacting, the ministry said in a statement released by its spokesperson, Mrs. Augustina Obilor-Duru, that the 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.”
She stated that the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Beninese and Togolese universities would remain in force “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 the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).”
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 6 weeks, participated in NYSC scheme”. This was also carried in various social media.
“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 2nd January 2024 is suspending 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 the Department of State Services, DSS, and the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC.
“The ministry therefore wishes to call on the general public to support its efforts, show understanding and provide useful information that will assist the Committee in finding lasting solutions in order to prevent further occurrence.
“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. 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 patronize such outlets.
Periodically, warnings have been issued by the ministry and 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.
“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, 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 Ahmed Tinubu.
“The federal ministry of education is committed to collaborating with stakeholders, including civil society organisations, to consistently enhance the Nigerian education system and we value the public’s understanding and patience as we strive to address these issues.
“The federal ministry of education wishes all Nigerians a happy new year. A year in which we would all work together to strengthen our education sector.”
Similarly, the NUC released the names of 18 unaccredited universities operating in the country and running “degree mills.”
A statement published on the commission’s website reads: “The National Universities Commission wishes to announce to the general public, especially parents and prospective undergraduates that the under-listed “degree mills” have not been licensed by the federal government and have therefore been closed down for violating the Education (National Minimum Standards, etc Act of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
The affected schools are the University of Applied Sciences & Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; the International University, Missouri, USA, Kano, and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria and the Columbus University, United Kingdom operating anywhere in Nigeria.
The list also includes Tiu International University, UK; Pebbles University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria; West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria; EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja, Lagos Study Centre and Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
Others are Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria; Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria; University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria; African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre and Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.
