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Illegal Universities exploit Degree seekers

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By Abiodun Okunloye

Many politicians and celebrities are interested in seeking honorary degrees.

In Nigeria, a concerning situation is unfolding as several unrecognised universities take advantage of individuals seeking honorary degrees, especially those termed ‘honoris causa.’ Rather than honouring significant societal contributions, these accolades have transformed into a profit-making venture for schools without legitimate accreditation. In spite of alerts issued by the National Universities Commission (NUC), these degree mills are capitalising on increasing interest from politicians, celebrities, and religious figures seeking to boost their status through honorary degrees.

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Research indicates that these qualifications are not granted due to meaningful inputs toward individual or societal advancement but are frequently bought by either the recipients or their benefactors. To combat such misconduct, the NUC has recently released a compilation of 18 overseas degree mills functioning unlawfully in Nigeria, highlighting establishments like Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT) in Cotonou, Benin Republic, for engaging in deceptive certification activities. This discovery led the Federal Government to stop validating university degrees from Benin, Togo, and Uganda.

These fraudulent degrees would encounter consequences.

Former Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, cautioned that those holding these fraudulent degrees would encounter consequences, stressing the necessity of genuine educational qualifications in employment. The list released by the NUC includes institutions like Port Novo, Volta University College in Ghana, and the University of Applied Sciences & Management, among others. These institutions have been found to offer degree programs without official accreditation. Some of these “universities” operate study centres in Nigeria, attracting various applicants seeking the honorific title of doctor, which lacks the demanding educational path that it usually entails.

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Also, this topic has generated not only debates but also backlash from prominent personalities. Many people have raised doubts about the authenticity of honorary doctorates obtained by celebrities in Nigeria, urging the Ministry of Education to clarify the legitimacy of such distinctions. His remarks underline the increasing doubt surrounding these unregulated accolades, which many feel devalue genuine qualifications and undermine confidence in educational establishments. The Nigerian Universities Vice-Chancellors Committee (CVCNU) has been aware of the issue for some time and released the Keffi Declaration in 2012 to address it.

Recipients of honorary degrees should not use the title Dr.

This declaration advises that honorary degrees should be conferred infrequently and solely to those who have verifiable societal contributions, specifically excluding individuals currently holding political office. Professor Michael Faborode, who previously served as Secretary-General of the CVCNU, stressed that recipients of honorary degrees should not use the title Dr. since this designation ought to be reserved for individuals holding academic doctorates. Yet, despite these initiatives, the awarding of honorary degrees has persisted, occasionally reaching totals of up to 20 during a single graduation event.

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Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has expressed worries about the surge in honorary degrees. Speaking through Chris Jibreel-Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary of the NUC, during the convocation at the Federal University of Lafia, Tinubu urged universities to refrain from granting honorary doctorates without discretion. He suggested that such practices might threaten academic credibility and erode the public’s esteem for genuine educational accomplishments. Although various Nigerians possess valid honorary degrees from esteemed organisations, the issue of degrees from unaccredited institutions has complicated the situation.

Related Article: University Reform crucial for Transformation

For instance, Prowess University operates out of the United States and asserts that it independently accredits its programs for quality assurance. In just the past year, it has conferred more than 50 honorary degrees to notable Nigerians. Nevertheless, this university lacks legal licensing in Nigeria and is not acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education. Even with these warning signs, many Nigerian actresses and comedians have received degrees from unrecognised institutions, frequently showcasing these honours on their Social Media accounts.

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