The Federal Government has suspended the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.
This move followed a report by Daily Nigerian detailing how a degree was acquired from a university in Benin Republic. The report published on December 30, 2023, exposed how corrupt government officials aid the fraudulent business of certificate racketeering.
The report exposed how Daily Nigerian’s reporter Umar Audu “finished” the four-year degree programme in less than two months from Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies, ESGT, Cotonou, Benin Republic. He obtained the certificate without application, registration, studying or writing exams.
Although the reporter never crossed any Nigerian borders, an immigration officer was able to get his passport stamped by both Nigerian and Beninois immigration agents to enable him participate in the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.
The ministry is also calling on Nigerians to assist in providing information to help the committee as it seeks lasting solutions to prevent future occurrences.
“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,” the statement added.
“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.
