Certificate racketeering: Nigeria axes accreditation of degrees from universities in Benin, Togo
In response to a damning report on certificate racketeering from a university in the Republic of Benin, the Nigerian government on Tuesday suspended the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from universities in neighbouring Benin and Togo.
This was revealed in a statement released by the Federal Ministry of Education.
The announcement follows an investigative report by the Daily Nigerian, which exposed certificate racketeering from a university in Benin.
The investigative report, as carried out by a Daily Nigerian reporter, exposed how easy it was to secure a degree certificate.
The undercover reporter appeared to be a desperate student and was able to secure a degree certificate in Mass Communication from ESGT, a Benin university in Cotonou, without attending classes or participating in other rigorous academic activities.
Augustina Obilor-Duru who signed the statement on behalf of the Director of Press and Public Relations of the education ministry, said “This report lends credence to suspicions that 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.
“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 patronize 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.”
