The Federal Government has once again sounded the alarm that individuals holding fake university certificates will face legal consequences. This stern warning was repeated by Education Minister Tahir Mamman during an important quarterly engagement session focused on Nigeria’s education sector in Abuja. Minister Mamman stressed the government’s commitment to overhauling the education sector. He mentioned the unveiling of a detailed 13-pillar roadmap as evidence of transformative measures. Emphasizing the need for an authentic database to propel forward the effective planning, especially at the basic education levels, Mamman emphasized the importance of promoting skills acquisition while addressing the issue of out-of-school children.
Highlighting how serious the situation was, Mamman denounced individuals possessing fake certificates as criminals rather than victims. He said, “I have no sympathy for such people. Instead, they are part of the criminal chain that should be arrested.” The Minister also announced an expansion of the government’s scrutiny to include degree certificates from additional countries like Uganda, Kenya, and the Niger Republic. This additional moves is in response to reports of fraudulent practices enabling individuals to acquire degrees swiftly and exploit them for professional gain, even securing placements in programs such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Audu’s investigative article exposed the coordinated scheme.
As of now, the government’s proactive stance includes suspending the accreditation of certificates from Benin and Togo, with ongoing investigations into similar institutions in neighboring countries. Minister Mamman expects a thorough report on this issue within three months. This action demonstrates the government’s determination to curb the spread of fake credentials and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s education sector. The Federal Government’s recent investigations into private universities established within the last 15 years have brought to light a troubling reality of certificate racketeering plaguing the country’s education sector.
All these were made possible by an investigative expose written by Umar Audu, which exposed rampant certificate fraud in neighboring countries. And it has sparked intense scrutiny and debate regarding the integrity and credibility of academic qualifications in the country. The revelations, particularly concerning a thriving syndicate in Benin Republic and Togo where university degrees were illicitly sold to Nigerian buyers, have increased concerns about the ease with which fake credentials can be obtained and exploited.
That the investigation has taken too long concerns everyone.
When an undercover journalist acquired a degree within six weeks and seamlessly participated in the National Youth Service Corps, then concerned Nigerians knew how serious and damaging to the country it was. In response, the Federal Government suspended the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo. Also, a probe targeting private universities established in the past 15 years was initiated in an effort to root out academic fraud and maintain good educational standards.
A while ago, the Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling was mandated to conduct a thorough examination of these universities and ensure strict adherence to laid-down rules and regulations. But that the probe has taken too long has raised concerns about the efficiency and efficacy of oversight mechanisms within Nigeria’s education system. This incident is not an isolated incident but rather part of a broader trend exposing fraudulent academic practices across various sectors. Instances where individuals have presented counterfeit degrees to secure employment or advance their careers have emerged, showing that there are systemic challenges within the education sector.
Related Link: FG sets up committee to tackle fake degrees
Well, the proliferation of substandard educational institutions operating without proper infrastructure further intensifies these concerns, and it poses risks to students’ academic development and future prospects. Addressing these issues mandates that government agencies, educational institutions, employers, and regulatory bodies put in joint efforts. Employers, in particular, bear a responsibility to verify the authenticity of academic credentials presented by their employees to uphold the integrity of the workforce. Implementing rigorous verification procedures for certificates from foreign institutions, similar to practices in countries like the United States and Canada, is very important to mitigate the spread of fake degrees.
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