The Federal Government has announced the suspension of the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates obtained from universities in Benin Republic and Togo.
This decision, revealed in a statement on Tuesday, January 2, has sent shockwaves through the educational landscape.
The announcement, signed by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, comes on the heels of an eye-opening investigative report by the Daily Nigerian Newspaper.
The report, titled “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks” and attributed to @Theumar_audu, exposed the dubious practices surrounding the acquisition of degrees from these institutions.
Expressing deep concern, the federal government highlighted the misuse of questionable means by some Nigerians to obtain degrees with the sole intention of securing job opportunities for which they are unqualified.
This revelation has prompted the government to take decisive action to safeguard the integrity of the country’s education system.
The suspension of the recognition of degrees from Togo and Benin Republic universities will remain in effect pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation.
The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education of Nigeria, in collaboration with the respective authorities in Togo and Benin Republic, as well as the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), are all set to delve into the matter.
This move underscores the government’s commitment to upholding the standards and credibility of educational qualifications in Nigeria.
As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders anxiously await the findings that will likely have far-reaching implications for individuals who may have acquired degrees through irregular means and the reputation of these foreign universities.