JAMB reports that Uganda and Kenya are now requiring verification of certificates submitted by Nigerian students

Several universities in Kenya and Uganda have started requesting verification from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for certificates presented by Nigerian candidates applying for admission to their institutions.

This development was outlined by JAMB in a document prepared for the 2024 policy meeting. The document indicates that examination boards in Kenya and Uganda are now contacting JAMB to confirm the authenticity of records submitted by Nigerian students. According to JAMB, they will not falsify any records.

This new verification process is unrelated to recent reports of fake certificates in some West African countries, including the Benin Republic. Additionally, revealed that officials from Lagos State University (LASU) were allegedly selling degrees for between N2 million and N3 million. Individuals could reportedly receive a degree in two to three weeks with just the necessary payment and an O-level certificate. This illicit practice has led to concerns about the integrity of academic records, with some staff being caught yet continuing their roles.

In response, the Nigerian government has mandated that all higher institutions regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education within three months of matriculation ceremonies. These lists must be sent through the designated channel of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. This measure is part of a broader effort by the Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling to address and combat certificate fraud in the country.