The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially recognized only eight universities in Togo and Benin Republic as accredited institutions authorized to award degrees to Nigerian students. This announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during an appearance on Channels Television's 'Sunday Politics' program.
Prof. Mamman disclosed that three universities in Togo and five in Benin Republic have been accredited to offer degree programs to Nigerians. This comes in response to the alarming revelation that over 22,500 Nigerians have obtained fake degree certificates from unaccredited institutions in these countries, which the government intends to cancel.
The minister highlighted the findings of a report submitted to the Federal Executive Council, which uncovered widespread degree certificate racketeering involving foreign and local universities. The investigation was prompted by a Nigerian journalist's undercover report, which exposed how a degree from a university in Benin Republic could be acquired in under two months and used for deployment in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The Federal Government-approved institutions in Togo are:
1. Université de Lomé
2. Université de Kara
3. Catholic University of West Africa
In Benin Republic, the following universities are accredited:
1. Université d’Abomey-Calavi
2. Université de Parakou
3. Université Nationale des Sciences, Technologies, Ingénierie et Mathématiques (UNSTIM)
4. Université Nationale d’Agriculture
5. Université Africaine de Développement Coopératif
Prof. Mamman emphasized that the government's decision to invalidate approximately 22,700 certificates from unaccredited institutions is not only necessary but also fair, as it protects the integrity of Nigeria's educational system. He pointed out that many of those who obtained fake certificates never actually studied abroad but instead acquired them through racketeering, often with the involvement of corrupt officials.
He further urged both the public and private sectors in Nigeria to scrutinize and eliminate such fake certificates, stressing that they tarnish the country's image and undermine the credibility of its workforce.
