The Federal Government has declared an extension of the suspension on accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates to additional countries like Uganda, Kenya, and Niger Republic.
Recall that the government had halted the assessment of degree certificates from tertiary institutions in Benin and Togo following an investigative report by the Daily Nigerian Newspaper, titled “Undercover: How Daily Nigerian reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks”.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Federal Ministry of Education announced the continuation of the suspension, awaiting outcomes from ongoing investigations involving Nigeria’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education, along with the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in collaboration with the affected countries.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, disclosed the expanded scope of this sanction to encompass nations such as Uganda, Kenya, and Niger, where similar institutions have been established.
Addressing the issue, Mamman emphasized that individuals enrolling in these ‘illegitimate’ tertiary institutions are not victims but rather participants in criminal activities. He expressed his lack of sympathy, considering them as part of the criminal network liable for arrest.
Moreover, the minister underscored that security agencies would pursue individuals utilizing fake certificates obtained from foreign countries to secure opportunities within Nigeria.