FG Defends Nullification of Over 22,700 Certificates from Togo and Benin Rep

The Nigerian government defends its decision to invalidate over 22,700 certificates obtained from institutions in Togo and Benin Republic, citing concerns over academic standards and authenticity.

The decision made by the Federal Government to invalidate more than 22,700 degree certificates acquired from certain fraudulent universities in Togo and Benin Republic has not changed.

On Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, Tahir Mamman- the Education Minister voiced his concerns over Nigerians who have acquired tertiary education certificates from “unlawful” institutions and how it is causing damage to Nigeria’s reputation.

According to him, revoking degree certificates obtained from illegal universities in Benin Republic and Togo is not a severe step since authorities of neighboring Francophone West African nations have also identified the schools as fraudulent.

A journalist who worked incognito revealed last year that he obtained a degree from a Benin Republic university within two months and even completed deployment for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

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Afterwards, the accreditation of certificates from the two West African nations where French is spoken was suspended by the Federal Government and an investigation commenced.

During a press conference held on Friday to commemorate his one year in office, the Minister stated that approximately 22,700 Nigerians procured false educational certificates from both nations.

According to the minister, a committee tasked with investigating degree certificate fraud by Nigerian and foreign universities submitted a report containing this revelation to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

On Sunday’s program, the minister stated that there were only three recognized institutions in Togo and five in Benin Republic according to the Federal Government. Any other institution was marked as illegal.

According to Mamman, a large number of Nigerians flaunting certificates from “unaccredited schools” didn’t travel outside the country. Instead, they acquired their certificates through fraudulent means facilitated by government officials within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.

According to the minister, Nigerians who enroll in fake universities are being exploited due to their gullibility.

According to him, both the Head of Civil Service and Secretary of Government would clamp down on employees in possession of fake certificates while encouraging private sector organizations to do the same.