FG Defends Invalidating Over 22,700 of Certificates from Togo, Benin Republic

The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a decisive stance by invalidating over 22,700 degree certificates obtained from "fake" universities in Togo and Benin Republic.

This move, as articulated by Education Minister Tahir Mamman during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, is aimed at preserving the integrity of Nigeria's educational system and protecting its international reputation.

Mamman explained that the decision to void these certificates was based on findings from a committee report submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The committee was tasked with investigating degree certificate racketeering by both foreign and local universities.

According to the minister, "many Nigerians parading the certificates from the 'illegal schools' didn’t even leave the shores of Nigeria but got their certificates through racketeering in collaboration with government officials at home and abroad."

The Nigerian government recognizes only three institutions in Togo and five in Benin Republic as legitimate. All other institutions in these countries have been tagged as illegal.

This classification is consistent with the views of authorities in Togo and Benin, who also consider the involved institutions fraudulent.

Mamman emphasized that the measure to invalidate these degrees is not harsh, stating, "Nigerians who obtained degree certificates from such 'illegal' tertiary institutions are denting Nigeria’s image."

The crackdown on fake degrees is part of a broader effort to eliminate fraudulent qualifications from the workforce.

The minister noted that the offices of the Head of Civil Service and the Secretary of the Government of the Federation would be responsible for identifying and prohibiting individuals with such fake certificates from government employment. He also urged the private sector to follow suit.

This initiative follows revelations from an undercover journalist who detailed how he acquired a degree from a university in Benin Republic in under two months and was subsequently deployed for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

In response, the Federal Government suspended the accreditation of certificates from the two francophone West African nations and launched a comprehensive probe.