From Victor Osula Abuja
Following public outcry over an investigative report by Daily Nigerian Newspaper indicting universities in neighbouring Benin Republic for awarding fake degrees, the Federal Government has reacted by announcing the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.
The newspaper report entitled: “UNDERCOVER: How Daily Nigerian Reporter Bagged Cotonou Varsity Degree in 6 Weeks, embarrassed the Nigeria University Commission, Federal Ministry of Education as the university graduands from Nigeria were said to have passed accreditation for participation in the mandatory National Youth Corps Service, for tertiary institutions.
Augustina Obilor-Duru, on behalf of the Director Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, said on Tuesday, “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.”
According to the statement, the suspension persists pending the outcome of an investigation involving the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education of Nigeria and the two countries as well as the Department of State Security Services (DSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).
It said the Education Ministry has set up a panel to “commence internal administrative processes to determine the culpability or otherwise of her staff for which applicable Public Service Rules would be applied”.
The statement called on Nigerians to cooperate with the committee and provide useful information that will assist in finding lasting solutions to the menace of Nigerians obtaining half-baked certificates from foreign universities.
It said, “The issue of degree mills institutions, i.e institutions that exist on paper or operate in 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 patronise 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 Ministry had always adopted the global standard for evaluation and accreditation of certificates of all forms which relies on receipt of the list of accredited courses and schools in all countries of the World.
“The Ministry wishes to assure Nigerians and the general public that, it is already putting in place mechanisms to sanitise the education sector, including dissuading the quest for degree certificates (locally or from foreign countries) through a re-invigorated focus on inclusivity, reliance on all skill sets as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
“The Federal Ministry of Education is committed to collaborating with stakeholders, including civil society organisations, to consistently enhance the Nigerian education system and we value the public’s understanding and patience as we strive to address these issues.”
