The Federal Government has initiated an investigation into private universities established within the last 15 years, following an investigative report by Daily Nigerian journalist Umar Audu. The report uncovered certificate racketeering in neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo, prompting the government to scrutinize the establishments of over 107 private universities within the specified timeframe.
The Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling, established for this purpose, will assess whether these universities have the required facilities, appropriate management structures, adequate funding for programs, and the right staff composition. The committee's investigation is distinct from the periodic accreditation exercises conducted by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
In an advertorial published in The PUNCH newspaper, the committee invited memoranda from the public to provide information that could assist in addressing the issue in line with its terms of reference. This move follows the publication of Audu's investigative report, where he detailed how he obtained a degree from Benin Republic in just six weeks and subsequently participated in the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced the government's intention to investigate private universities during the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on fake degrees and degree mills. The committee, chaired by Jibrila Amin, will also review the roles of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in facilitating the recognition and procurement of fake certificates, among other tasks aimed at strengthening the system of degree recognition and accreditation in Nigeria.
