The federal government of Nigeria has reportedly suspended the evaluation and accreditation of diplomas obtained in the Republic of Benin and Togo, following information indicating that Nigerians were fraudulently obtaining university degrees in these two countries.
The Nigerian government has suspended the accreditation of diplomas obtained from universities in Benin and Togo until further notice. The announcement was made on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) of Nigeria through a press release. The decision follows an article by the Daily Nigerian which revealed a certificate racket in a university in Benin, the statement said.
“This report lends credence to suspicions that some Nigerians would deploy nefarious means and unacceptable methods with the ultimate aim of obtaining employment opportunities for which they are not qualified,” the statement read.
The Nigerian government is taking this matter seriously and is committed to holding officials accountable for any involvement in the abusive use of diploma certificates from the Republics of Benin and Togo.
The Federal Ministry of Education is seeking the support of the public and encouraging the communication of useful information to resolve these issues sustainably. Internally, measures are also being taken to combat diploma mills selling fake honorary degrees. Additionally, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is considering legal action against Nigerian graduates with fake credentials, focusing on those acquired in West African countries.
