FG Suspends Accreditation Of Degrees From Benin Republic & Togo

The federal government has declared the suspension of degree certificate examination and accreditation from neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo.

The federal government lamented 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” in a statement issued on Tuesday, January 2, by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education.

According to the statement, the suspension followed an investigation by an online newspaper that exposed a Cotonou-based University that awarded a degree certificate to an undercover Journalist within six weeks.

The ban will stay in effect until the outcome of an inquiry involving the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education of Nigeria and the two nations, as well as the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), according to the government.

The statement reads in parts; “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.

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“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 Republic 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 Security Services (DSSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).”

The Ministry also stated that internal administrative proceedings have begun to determine the responsibility or otherwise of her staff, for which applicable Public Service Rules will be applied.

“The issue of degree mills institutions, i.e. institutions that exist on paper or operate in a 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 statement added.

In December 2022, a Daily Nigerians writer contacted a racketeering network that specialises in selling infamous degree diplomas from neighbouring countries to eager purchasers at an “affordable rate.” The agency, on the other hand, gave the reporter the option of “studying” for a year or a month, and he chose the month option.

“That’s not a problem; we can help. If the money is ready, we can help you out. We have done it for a lot of people. If you make the payment now, the results will be ready next month,” the assured the undercover reporter.

The reporter’s decision to study mass communication at any “university” in Cotonou was based on his knowledge of the subject, which allowed him to easily pass the screening. The agent broke out the costs for the reporter, which included tuition, an evaluation letter, a resident permit, immigration stamps at the border post, and transportation.

The reporter made the payment on December 27, 2022, and was given a payment receipt. The certificate and transcript from Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies, ESGT, Cotonou, Benin Republic, were handed to his office on February 17, 2023, as promised by the agency.