THE Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, revealed that over 22,500 Nigerians are using fake certificates obtained from Benin Republic and Togo between 2019 and 2023.
He noted that more than 21,600 of these certificates were issued by unaccredited universities in Benin Republic, while around 1,105 came from unaccredited institutions in Togo.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to mark his first anniversary, Prof. Mamman shared that some of these figures were gathered from records of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other sources.
He warned that the actual numbers might be even higher, as some individuals avoided the NYSC scheme and other activities that would have revealed their fraud.
Prof. Mamman expressed concern that these fake certificates have been used to secure jobs in both government and private sectors, while genuinely qualified graduates struggle to find employment.
He criticized Nigerians for attending unaccredited institutions abroad, pointing out that many never physically attended these schools.
The Minister also confirmed that a circular is being prepared by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to identify and prosecute these individuals.
Private sector employers are encouraged to investigate foreign certificates obtained between 2019 and 2023 and report any suspicious cases to the Federal Ministry of Education.
However, Prof. Mamman clarified that only five universities in Benin and three in Togo are accredited to offer degree programs, and graduates from these institutions will not face punitive measures.
In addition, the Minister highlighted that around four million out-of-school children have been brought back to classrooms through various programs, mainly led by the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children.
You q He expressed the goal of reintegrating 3 to 4 million children into schools annually, aiming for significant progress by the end of the administration.
The issue of degree mills gained attention following an investigative report by Umar Audu, a journalist with Daily Nigerian. Audu exposed how he obtained a degree from Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies in Cotonou, Benin Republic, within six weeks and even completed the mandatory NYSC.
In response, the Nigerian government has banned the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from Benin Republic and Togo.
Prof. Mamman reiterated that holders of fake degrees from Nigerian and foreign universities will be removed from the system.
The committee’s recommendations include conducting university admissions through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) and the mandatory submission of matriculation lists.
