The review and accreditation of degree credentials from Benin and Togo Republic has been halted by the Federal Government.
Mrs Augustina Obilor-Duru, Assistant Director, Press, Ministry of Education, made the announcement in Abuja on Tuesday.
This ban was imposed as a result of an investigation conducted by a journalist and published in the Daily Nigerian Newspaper on December 30.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Umar Audu, a reporter for the publication, conducted an investigation titled “UNDERCOVER: How reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in six weeks, participated in NYSC scheme.”
However, Obilor-Duru stated that the suspension was pending the outcome of an investigation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the two countries.
She stated that the probe would also include the education ministries of both countries, as well as the Department of State Security Services (DSSS) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
She urged the people to support the efforts by demonstrating understanding and offering important information that would aid in the discovery of long-term solutions to prevent such tragedies.
“This report lends credence to suspicions that some Nigerians use dubious means and unethical methods to obtain a degree in order to obtain graduate job opportunities for which they are unqualified.”
“The ministry has also begun internal administrative processes to determine her staff’s culpability or otherwise, for which applicable Public Service Rules would be applied.”
“The issue of degree mills institutions, i.e. institutions that exist only on paper or operate clandestinely outside the control of regulators, is a global problem that all countries face.”
“The ministry has been dealing with the problem, which includes illegal institutions located abroad or at home preying on unsuspecting, innocent Nigerians, as well as some desperate Nigerians who purposefully patronise such outlets,” she said.
She further stated that the ministry and the National Universities Commission (NUC) have given periodic warnings against such schools, and that in some cases, reports were made to security services in order to crack down on the violators.
“The ministry will continue to review its strategy in order to close any gaps in processes and procedures and deal decisively with any dishonest officials.”
“The Ministry has always followed the global standard for evaluating and accrediting certificates of all kinds, which is based on receiving a list of accredited courses and schools from all over the world.”
“The ministry wishes to reassure Nigerians and the general public that mechanisms to sanitise the education sector are already in place.”
“This includes discouraging the pursuit of degree certificates (whether locally or from abroad) through a re-energized focus on inclusivity and reliance on all skill sets as directed by President Bola Tinubu,” she stated.
She also stated that the ministry was dedicated to working with stakeholders, particularly civil society organisations, to continuously improve Nigeria’s education system.
