The National Universities Commission (NUC) has taken decisive action by closing down 58 illegal universities and satellite campuses in Nigeria.
Certificates from these institutions will not be recognised for employment, further education, or the mandatory national service.
Acting NUC Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, stated in Abuja that arrests have been made, with the Department of State Services (DSS) playing a crucial role in dismantling the affected institutions.
The NUC's decision follows the suspension of degree certificates from two West African countries, prompted by an investigative journalist exposing the expedited process of obtaining a degree from a Benin Republic university.
The NUC publicly announced the closure of the fraudulent institutions, with Maiyaki stating that nine others labelled as "Degree Mills" were either under investigation or facing legal actions.
The primary focus is on prosecuting owners and recovering illicit fees charged to unsuspecting individuals.
“For the avoidance of doubt, anybody who patronises or obtains any certificate from any of these illegal institutions does so at his or her own risk.
Certificates obtained from these sources will not be recognised for NYSC, employment, and further studies,” he warned.
