Following the undercover by a Daily Nigeria reporter, who bagged a Cotonou varsity degree certificate in 6 weeks, the Federal Ministry of Education has announced the suspension of the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics pending the outcome of an investigation.
The Informant247 gathered that the suspension, which is effective from 2nd January 2024, is in connection with a recent investigation tagged, “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks, participated in NYSC scheme”.
According to a statement signed by Mrs Augustina Obilor-Duru, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, the investigation would involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the two countries, ministries responsible for Education in the two countries as well as the Department of State Security Services (DSSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).
The statement reads, “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.’ This was also carried in various social media.”
She said the report gave credence to suspicions that some Nigerians deployed nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a degree with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they were not qualified while calling on the public to support its efforts, show understanding and provide helpful information that would assist the committee in finding lasting solutions to prevent further occurrence.
“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 patronise such outlets.
“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,” she said.
The ministry also assured Nigerians that it was 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.