The Federal Government has called for the suspension of the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.
This move comes in response to a media report that exposed the fraudulent acquisition of degree certificates by an individual a university in Benin Republic in under two months.
The report, published by the Daily Nigerian Newspaper on December 30, 2023, revealed how an undercover reporter, who had already graduated from a Nigerian university and completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), obtained a degree from a university in Cotonou, Benin, in just six weeks and participated in the NYSC scheme.
The spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Augustina Obilor-Duru in a statement said that the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from both Benin and Togo would be suspended indefinitely.
This suspension will remain in effect until an investigation is conducted, involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, the education ministries of both countries, the Department of State Security Services (DSS), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The ministry expressed its concern over the use of fraudulent means to obtain degrees, enabling individuals to secure job opportunities for which they are not qualified. It urged the public to support its efforts and provide any useful information that could assist in finding lasting solutions to prevent such occurrences.
The ministry is also calling on Nigerians to assist in providing information to help the committee as it seeks lasting solutions to prevent future occurrences.
“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,” the statement added.
“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.”
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