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, Tahir Mamman, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program.
Mamman revealed that over 22,500 Nigerians had obtained fake degree certificates from various institutions in these two countries, and these certificates would be invalidated. This revelation came as part of a report presented to the Federal Executive Council, based on findings from a committee tasked with investigating degree certificate racketeering by both foreign and local universities.
The investigation followed an undercover report by a Nigerian journalist, who managed to acquire a degree from a university in Benin Republic in less than two months, subsequently using it to secure deployment for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
During the television interview, Mamman stated that the federal government recognizes only three universities in Togo and five in Benin Republic as legitimate degree-awarding institutions for Nigerian students. The recognized universities in Togo are:
- Université de Lomé
- Université de Kara
- Catholic University of West Africa
In Benin Republic, the accredited universities include:
- Université d’Abomey-Calavi
- Université de Parakou
- Université Nationale des Sciences, Technologies, Ingénierie et Mathématiques
- Université Nationale d’Agriculture
- Université Africaine de Développement Coopératif
Mamman emphasized that the decision to cancel approximately 22,700 certificates issued by unrecognized institutions is final. He stressed that the holders of these fake certificates, many of whom never left Nigeria and obtained their degrees through fraudulent means in collaboration with corrupt officials, tarnish the country’s reputation.
He added, “These fake universities took advantage of the gullibility of Nigerians who patronize such institutions. The Federal Government, through the offices of the Head of Civil Service and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, will identify and take action against those in public service with such fake certificates. I also encourage the private sector to conduct similar checks.”
The minister’s firm stance underscores the government’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the Nigerian education system and ensuring that only recognized and accredited institutions are allowed to confer degrees on Nigerian students.
