FG nullifies over 22,700 degrees from fake Togo, Benin Republic varsities
…Lists eight accredited universities in Togo, Benin
…Underage candidates barred from writing NECO, WAEC exams — Education Minister
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Federal Government of Nigeria has invalidated over 22,700 degrees obtained from unaccredited universities in Togo and Benin Republic.
Education Minister, Tahir Mamman, reaffirmed this decision, asserting that these institutions, not recognised even in their own countries, are contributing to the tarnishing of Nigeria’s educational reputation.
Mamman during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, monitored by Nigerian NewsDirect, emphasised the necessity of this action to preserve Nigeria’s educational integrity.
Mamman highlighted that the institutions in question are not recognized even in their own countries, thus justifying the government’s decision to invalidate their degrees.
“The measure to invalidate these degrees is not harsh,” Mamman said. “These institutions are not recognised even in their own countries, and we cannot allow Nigerians to continue parading certificates from such places.”
The decision follows a troubling revelation about rampant certificate racketeering, including a case where an undercover journalist obtained a degree in less than two months from a Benin Republic institution, which he later used for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Nigeria.
In a press conference marking his first year in office, Mamman revealed that more than 22,700 Nigerians were found to have procured fake degrees from these institutions.
The government’s action came after a thorough investigation led by a committee that scrutinised both foreign and local universities involved in such fraud.
Mamman clarified that the Nigerian government officially recognizes only three institutions in Togo and five in Benin Republic, deeming all others as illegal.
Many Nigerians acquired these dubious certificates through corrupt means, often without ever travelling abroad, involving both local and international officials.
Mamman announced that government offices will be tasked with identifying and dismissing employees holding fake degrees. He also urged the private sector to enforce similar standards to prevent individuals with fraudulent qualifications from being employed.
Also, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially recognized only eight universities in Togo and Benin Republic for awarding degrees to Nigerian students.
During a recent press conference, Mamman disclosed the names of the accredited institutions: three in Togo—Université de Lomé, Université de Kara, and Catholic University of West Africa—and five in Benin Republic—Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Université de Parakou, Université Nationale des Sciences, Technologies, Ingénierie et Mathématiques, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, and Université Africaine de Développement Coopératif.
Mamman emphasised that the government’s decision to cancel the fraudulent certificates is justified, as many Nigerians acquired these degrees through racketeering without physically attending the institutions.
He urged both public and private sectors to take action against individuals holding these invalid certificates.
In the same vein, the Federal Government has announced that underage candidates will no longer be allowed to write secondary school leaving examinations.
Mamman stated that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) have been instructed to comply with the directive on the 18-year age limit for any candidate to be eligible for the examinations. He emphasised that the age limit for admission to Nigerian universities remains 18 years.
He explained that the policy is not new and has been in place for a long time. He noted that the number of years pupils are expected to spend in school, from early child care to senior secondary school, is 17 and a half years.
The minister stated that NECO and WAEC will no longer allow underage children to write their examinations. He added that specially talented children who are exceptional will be given special consideration, but noted that this is yet to be done.
