The Acting Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, has revealed that the commission has identified at least 37 illegal universities operating in Nigeria, News About Nigeria reports.
He made this announcement during an interview with Channels Television in Abuja on Wednesday, stating that the Department of State Services (DSS) is actively involved in clamping down on these illegal institutions.
Maiyaki emphasised the need for parents to check the commission’s website for information on legal and illegal universities in Nigeria to ensure that their wards do not fall victim to these unaccredited institutions.
He noted that arrests have been made in connection with these illegal universities, and efforts are ongoing to address the issue.
The NUC’s disclosure comes in the wake of the suspension of degree certificates from two francophone West African countries, Benin Republic and Togo.
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, announced the suspension on Tuesday, citing the increased rate of certificate forgery.
The move follows an investigative report by the Daily Nigerian Newspaper titled “How Daily Nigerian reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks.”
The government expressed concerns about Nigerians obtaining certificates through illegal means to secure job opportunities for which they are not qualified.
The suspension of accreditation of certificates from Benin Republic and Togo took immediate effect on January 2, 2024.
Investigations involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two countries, the DSS, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will be conducted to determine the duration of the suspension.
The Federal Government urged the public to support and collaborate in addressing the issue of certificate forgery, emphasising the need to distinguish individuals who genuinely graduated from institutions in the affected countries.
