In response to a shocking undercover investigation exposing a widespread certificate racketeering syndicate, Nigeria has halted the evaluation and accreditation of degrees from over 45 universities in Benin Republic and Togo.
The investigative report detailed how individuals could obtain a university degree from Cotonou within six weeks, complete with a legitimate scan code and transcript, leading to concerns about the credibility of academic credentials.
The exposé revealed a collaboration between Nigerian racketeering agents and senior staff at a university campus in Cotonou, including Nigerians holding positions such as registrar and English section coordinators. The investigation further disclosed that individuals successfully utilized these fraudulent degrees to participate in Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme without detection.
In light of these findings, the federal government has suspended the accreditation of Togolese and Beninese degree certificates. This suspension has immediate implications for graduates from these countries who intended to join the NYSC scheme, which is a mandatory requirement for corporate employment in Nigeria.
The move is part of an ongoing joint investigation by the education ministries of both countries and the NYSC. Acknowledging the longstanding challenge of tackling certificate rackets and degree mills, the Nigerian ministry emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and urgent solution.
The suspension affects numerous universities in Benin Republic, including Institut Supérieur de Formation Professionnelle (ISFOP), Lakeside University College (LUC), and Houdegbe North American University. Togolese institutions impacted include African Union University, Maryam Abacha American University Niger, and the University of Science and Technology of Togo, among others.
As the investigation unfolds, concerns about the integrity of academic credentials in the region are at the forefront, prompting a broader conversation about the need for enhanced measures to safeguard the education system from fraudulent activities.
