In a recent development, the Federal Government, in a statement signed by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, has announced the suspension of the evaluation and accreditation process for degree certificates originating from Benin and Togo Republics. This decision, a response to the concerning issue of Nigerians resorting to deceptive means to obtain degrees, was disclosed on Tuesday.
The government expressed deep concern over the exploitation of dubious methods by some Nigerians, enabling them to acquire degrees with the ultimate goal of securing job opportunities for which they lack qualification. The suspension is a precautionary measure in response to an investigative report by Daily Nigerian Newspaper titled “UNDERCOVER: DAILY NIGERIAN Reporter Attains Cotonou University Degree in Just 6 Weeks.”
The federal government emphasized that the suspension will remain in effect until the ongoing investigation concludes. Collaborative efforts are being undertaken by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education of Nigeria, alongside relevant authorities in Benin and Togo, including the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), to delve into the matter comprehensively.
The Statement Unveiled
According to the released statement, the Federal Ministry of Education has constituted a panel to initiate internal administrative procedures for assessing the culpability, if any, of its staff members. The findings will be subject to the application of appropriate Public Service Rules.
The government called upon Nigerians to actively cooperate with the committee, providing valuable information to facilitate the formulation of enduring solutions to the issue of individuals obtaining substandard certificates from foreign universities.
Addressing the broader issue of degree mills and illegal institutions, the statement acknowledged that this is a global problem faced by many countries. The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has consistently grappled with this problem, issuing periodic warnings against resorting to such institutions and reporting cases to security agencies for necessary action.
The statement iterated the Ministry’s commitment to adhering to global standards for the evaluation and accreditation of certificates. This process relies on the receipt of lists of accredited courses and schools from all countries worldwide. The Ministry assured Nigerians of ongoing efforts to sanitize the education sector, emphasizing inclusivity and a focus on all skill sets, in line with the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
In concluding the statement, the Federal Ministry of Education pledged to collaborate with stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to consistently enhance the Nigerian education system. The public was urged to exercise understanding and patience as the Ministry works diligently to address these critical issues.
In this exclusive update from Infostride News, the unfolding situation underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of educational qualifications and combating fraudulent practices in the nation’s academic landscape. The gravity of the issue demands a thorough and collaborative effort to safeguard the credibility of degrees obtained, both domestically and abroad. Stay tuned for further developments as the investigation progresses.
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