Ogasabi on 9am news reports that the Federal Government is resolute in its decision to nullify over 22,700 degree certificates obtained by Nigerians from “fake” universities in neighboring countries like Benin and Togo. Education Minister Tahir Mamman, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, emphasized that these fraudulent degrees tarnish Nigeria’s reputation. He clarified that both Benin and Togo have similarly declared the certificates of the affected institutions as illegitimate, supporting the decision to void these credentials.
The issue gained attention last year when an undercover journalist exposed how he enrolled in a Benin Republic institution, graduated in less than two months, and even completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This revelation led the Federal Government to halt the certification of degrees from the two Francophone West African nations and launch an investigation.
At a recent press conference marking his one-year tenure, the minister disclosed that more than 22,700 Nigerians had obtained fake degrees from these countries. The report was part of an investigation into degree certificate racketeering by foreign and local universities, presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
During the Sunday program, Mamman stated that the Federal Government recognizes only three institutions in Togo—Université de Lomé, Université de Kara, and Catholic University of West Africa—and five in Benin Republic—Université D’Abomey-Calavi, Université de Parakou, Université Nationale des Sciences, Technologies Ingénierie et Mathématiques, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, and Université Africaine de Développement Coopératif. He warned that the offices of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation and the Head of Civil Service would expose and bar those in government with forged certificates. He also encouraged businesses to take similar actions.
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