Embarrassed by the undercover report exposing the fraudulent acquisition of degree certificates by some desperate degree-seeking individuals, the Federal Government on Tuesday, announced a suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Togo and the Republic of Benin, respectively.
Recall that Daily Nigerian Newspaper had in its publication, dated 30th December 2023, exposed how its undercover reporter who had already graduated from a Nigerian university and served the nation’s one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, bagged a Cotonou varsity degree in just six weeks and got mobilised to participate in NYSC scheme.
The development compelled the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement to suspend the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from both Benin and Togo indefinitely.
The government explained that the suspension would be in effect pending the outcome of an investigation that would involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the two countries, the ministries responsible for education in the two countries as well the Department of State Security Services, DSS, and the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC.
The statement which was released through Mrs. Augustina Obilor-Duru, of the ministry’s Directorate of Press and Public Relations, read: “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 out in various social media.
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 Federal Ministry of Education vehemently decries such acts and with effect from 2nd January 2024 is suspending evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics pending the outcome of an investigation that would involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the two countries, the ministries responsible for Education in the two countries as well the Department of State Security Services (DSSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).
” The Ministry, therefore, wish to call on the General Public to support its efforts, show understanding and provide useful information that will assist the Committee in finding lasting solutions to prevent further occurrence”.
