- Following the recent revelation by FG about the 22,700 certificates given to Nigerians by some “fake” universities
- FG declared certificates from Cotonou and some Togo universities invalid and ordered the dismissal of affected staff
- However, it released the list of universities in Togo and Benin Republic recognised by the Nigerian government
The Federal Government has stated that only eight universities have been accredited to award degrees to Nigerians in Togo and Benin Republic.
The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, made this known on Sunday, August 25, while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.
Mamman, during a press conference on August 23 to mark his one year in office, disclosed that over 22,500 Nigerians obtained fake degree certificates from the two countries, and such certificates would be cancelled.
The minister said the revelation was part of a report submitted to the Federal Executive Council by a committee with a mandate to probe degree certificate racketeering by foreign and local universities in Nigeria.
He added that the development follows the undercover investigation report in which a Nigerian journalist acquired a degree from a university in Benin Republic in under two months and used it to get deployed for the National Youth Service Corps.
Speaking during the programme, the minister said the federal government only recognised three institutions in Togo and five in Benin Republic while identifying others as illegal institutions.
Mamman listed the public universities below as the federal government-approved institutions to offer degree programmes in Togo for students from Nigeria.
Togo universities recognised by Nigeria
1. Universite De Lome
2. Universite De Kara
3. Catholic University of West Africa
The minister also listed five accredited universities authorised to provide degree programmes for students from Nigeria in the Benin Republic of Benin.
5 Benin universities recognised by Nigeria
1. Universite D’abomey-Calavi
2. Universite De Parakou
3. Universite Nationale Des Sciences, Technologis Ingenierie Et Mathematiques
4. Universite Nationale D’ Agriculture
5. Universite Africaine De Devlopment Cooperatif
The minister also insisted that there is no going back on the decision of the federal government to cancel about 22,700 certificates awarded to Nigerians by some “fake” universities in neighbouring Togo and Benin Republic.
He said, “Most of those parading the fake certificates didn’t even leave the shores of Nigeria but got their certificates through racketeering in collaboration with government officials at home and abroad.
“The “fake universities” capitalised on the “gullibility” of Nigerians patronising such fake schools.
“The federal government, through the offices of the Head of Civil Service and the Secretary of the Federation, would fish out those in the government’s employment with such fake certificates. I also urge the private sector to follow suit.”
Mamman maintained that the decision to invalidate the certificates was not harsh, as Nigerians who obtained degree certificates from such “illegal” tertiary institutions dent the country’s image.
FUNAAB, UNIABUJA, others receive power plants from FG
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has deployed power plants across six federal universities to ensure reliable power supply. The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) reported progress in advancing Nigeria’s electrification initiatives as part of its commitment to providing dependable power for key areas.
Minister Wale Edun praised REA’s efforts, highlighting the crucial role of electrification in driving Nigeria’s economy and improving livelihoods.