The Federal Government has officially recognised eight universities in Togo and Benin Republic as the only accredited institutions authorised to award degrees to Nigerians.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, during a press conference marking his one year in office, News About Nigeria reports.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Mamman disclosed that over 22,500 Nigerians had obtained fake degree certificates from various unaccredited institutions in these two countries.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to addressing this issue, stating, “The federal government has identified only three universities in Togo and five in Benin Republic as legitimate degree-awarding institutions for Nigerian students.”
The accredited universities in Togo are:
- Universite De Lome
- Universite De Kara
- Catholic University of West Africa
In Benin Republic, the accredited institutions are:
- Universite D’Abomey-Calavi
- Universite De Parakou
- Universite Nationale Des Sciences, Technologies, Ingenierie Et Mathematiques
- Universite Nationale D’Agriculture
- Universite Africaine De Developpement Cooperatif
Mamman warned that the federal government would invalidate the 22,700 certificates obtained from illegal universities and that those involved would face severe consequences.
“This decision is not harsh; it is necessary to protect the integrity of our education system,” he said.
The minister also stated that many of these fraudulent certificates were obtained by individuals who never left Nigeria, using racketeering schemes involving corrupt officials both within and outside the country.
“The fake universities capitalised on the gullibility of Nigerians,” Mamman added.
He urged the private sector to collaborate with the government in identifying employees with such fraudulent qualifications.
Additionally, the minister announced that the federal government, through the offices of the Head of Civil Service and the Secretary of the Federation, would take decisive steps to eliminate such cases within the public sector.
