Nigeria Suspends Accreditation of Degree Certificates from Benin, Togo

Jack Acheme, Abuja.

Last updated Jan 3, 2024

The Nigerian Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has suspended the Evaluation and Accreditation of Degree Certificates from the Republics of Benin and Togo until further notice.

The suspension, which takes effect from the 2nd of January, 2024, was contained in a statement signed by Mrs. Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the director of press and public relations of the ministry.

The action, according to the statement, is coming on the heels of investigative journalism that unveiled how some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a degree from the two countries, with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified.

The statement quoted the publication by the journalist titled “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN Reporter Bagged Cotonou Varsity Degree in 6 Weeks, Participated in NYSC Scheme” as a precursor to the suspension of accreditation of degree certificates from the two countries.

The statement equally noted that the Federal Ministry of Education frowns at the development and has constituted a committee, which also comprises security operatives, to investigate the matter as well as instituted an internal administrative process to deal with collaborators in the ministry, according to extant rules of the Nigerian Public Service.

The statement further 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 30th December 2023 titled “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN Reporter Bagged Cotonou Varsity Degree in 6 Weeks, Participated in NYSC Scheme”. This was also carried out 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 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 Security Services (DSSS) 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 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 clandestinely outside the control of regulators is a global problem that all countries grapple with.

The Federal Ministry of Education 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 the 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.

The ministry has 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 sanitize 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 GCFR.

The Federal Ministry of Education is committed to collaborating with stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to consistently enhance the Nigerian education system, and we value the public’s understanding and patience as we strive to address these issues.”