The Federal Government has announced plans to extend the suspension of accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates beyond Benin Republic and Togo.
The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman told Channels Television that the dragnet would expand its reach to include countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and Niger Republic, where similar institutions operate.
“This is not a limited crackdown; it’s a decisive move to uphold the integrity of our educational system,” Mamman asserted.
He emphasized that the government is resolute in curbing the proliferation of unscrupulous practices that compromise the value of academic qualifications obtained where such institutions operate.
This decision came swiftly after an undercover investigation by a journalist from Daily Nigerian exposed the ease with which one could obtain a degree from a Benin Republic university in a mere two months, even proceeding to enroll in the National Youth Service Corps,NYSC.
READ ALSO:FGN suspends recognition of degrees from Benin and Togo
Responding to these findings, the Federal Government promptly suspended the accreditation of certificates from these two West African countries, launching a thorough probe expected to yield a comprehensive report within three months.
Mamman took a firm stance against those involved, dismissing students patronizing such institutions as criminals rather than victims. “I have no sympathy for such people.
Instead, they are part of the criminal chain that should be arrested,” he emphasized.
Moreover, the Minister highlighted that security agencies would track down individuals utilizing forged certificates from foreign nations to secure opportunities within Nigeria.
This stringent approach aims to curtail the use of counterfeit certifications and uphold the integrity of educational qualifications in the country.
The widened net cast by the Federal Government signals its unwavering commitment to combating fraudulent academic practices, ensuring transparency, and maintaining the credibility of educational credentials in Nigeria.
As the scope broadens, stakeholders await further developments in the ongoing efforts to root out certificate fraudulence across multiple countries.
Crediblenews.ng
