The federal government has started working on the recommendation made by an investigative panel established on January 9, 2024, to probe fake universities issuing bogus academic certificates to Nigerians, News About Nigeria reports.
A 12-member task force, led by renowned academic Prof. Jibrila Amin, who is also the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Committee of Vice Chancellors, presented a comprehensive report to the federal government via the Federal Ministry of Education, containing significant proposals for reform.
The investigative panel, which included Dr. Chris Maiyaki, acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, proposed several crucial measures, including regular submission of student enrolment lists by institutions and mandatory use of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Central Admissions Processing System for all admissions.
In response to these recommendations, the government, led by Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman, has instructed institutions to submit their admission lists to JAMB within a three-month window after matriculation, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the admission process.
Prof. Mamman, in a circular dated July 15, 2024, directed JAMB to enforce the recommendations.
The circular reads in part, “You may recall that following the publication of allegations of certificate racketeering involving some foreign institutions, especially in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and other countries, the ministry constituted an inter-ministerial committee to investigate the allegations to find lasting solutions.
“The committee has submitted its report, and the Honourable Minister of Education has approved its recommendations for implementation.
“In that regard, I hereby convey the request of the honourable minister for the implementation of the following recommendations of the committee:
“Enforce the mandatory requirement for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to exclusively conduct their admissions processes through the Central Admissions Processing System under the auspices of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board; mandate all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies through the dedicated channel of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
“You are kindly requested to implement the above recommendations and furnish the ministry with implementation updates.”
