The Federal Government has announced the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Republic of Benin and Togo.
Recall that, the Daily Nigerian Newspaper in its publication dated December 30, 2023, revealed that their undercover reporter, who had completed a Nigerian university education and the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), obtained a degree from a Cotonou university in only six weeks and participated in the NYSC scheme.
Reacting to this, the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement released by it’s Directorate of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Augustina Obilor-Duru, on Tuesday, January 2, stated that evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from both Benin and Togo are indefinitely suspended.
According to the FG, 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 statement read in part, “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 December 30, 2023, titled “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks, participated in NYSC scheme.
“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 Services, DSS, 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 in order to prevent further occurrence.
“The Ministry has also commenced internal administrative processes to determine the culpability or otherwise of her staff for which applicable Public Service Rules would be applied.
“The ministry had always adopted the global standard for evaluation and accreditation of certificates of all forms which relies on receipt of the list of accredited courses and schools in all countries of the World.
“The ministry wishes to assure Nigerians and the general public that, it is already putting in place mechanisms to sanitise the education sector, including dissuading the quest for degree certificates (locally or from foreign countries) through a re-invigorated focus on inclusivity: reliance “on all skill sets as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The Federal Ministry of Education is committed to collaborating with stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to consistently enhance the Nigerian education system and we value the public’s understanding and patience as we strive to address these issues.”
