Education
FG to Suspend Certificate Accreditation from Kenya, Uganda, and Others
FG to Suspend Certificate Accreditation from Kenya, Uganda, and Others
The recent announcement by the federal government to suspend accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from certain African countries has sparked a wave of concern and scrutiny. The move comes in response to a growing concern over the proliferation of institutions issuing false certificates, particularly in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and the Niger Republic. Prof. Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education, made this decision public during an appearance on Channel TV.
An investigative report that exposed the unethical means by which some Nigerians obtain degrees from these countries prompted the decision to suspend accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from these countries. These individuals then use these degrees to secure job opportunities in Nigeria for which they are not genuinely qualified.
The investigative report, titled “UNDERCOVER: How a Daily Nigerian Reporter Bagged Cotonou Varsity Degree in 6 Weeks and Participated in the NYSC Scheme,” shed light on the alarming practices employed by certain individuals to obtain degrees from foreign institutions within a remarkably short period. The Minister emphasized that many of these institutions operating in African countries lack physical sites or campuses, operating instead in an undercover manner.
In response to this disconcerting revelation, the Minister stated, “It is a wake-up call for us, and that is why we quickly swung into action to stop the recognition of certificates and qualifications from those countries that are at the forefront of this business. And I can tell you that we are not going to stop at just Togo and Benin. We are going to extend it to countries like Uganda, Kenya, and even Niger, where such institutions have been set up. A lot of these institutions don’t have physical locations. They just operate undercover.”
Furthermore, the Minister announced that security forces will pursue Nigerians who possess fake certificates from these foreign countries and are leveraging them to secure opportunities within Nigeria. He emphasized that these individuals are not victims but rather criminals who should be prosecuted for their actions. The Minister made it clear that there will be no leniency towards those found to be involved in this fraudulent practice.
The decision to suspend the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo was made earlier, following a report that exposed the acquisition of a degree from a university in Benin Republic in under two months. The Ministry of Education’s statement emphasized the need to address suspicions that some Nigerians are resorting to unethical means to obtain degrees, subsequently leveraging them to secure job opportunities for which they are not genuinely qualified.
The government’s decision to suspend the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from these countries underscores the need for a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of academic credentials to ensure the integrity and authenticity of qualifications obtained from foreign institutions. This move not only aims to safeguard the credibility of academic qualifications but also to protect the integrity of the labor market within Nigeria.
In light of these developments, it is crucial for individuals and employers to exercise heightened vigilance and due diligence when evaluating academic qualifications obtained from foreign institutions. The government’s commitment to addressing this issue should serve as a catalyst for broader conversations surrounding the authentication and validation of academic credentials, both domestically and internationally.
It is evident that the implications of this certificate scandal extend beyond the realm of education, reaching into the fabric of the Nigerian workforce and the broader integrity of the country’s academic qualifications. The government’s proactive stance in addressing this issue is a testament to its commitment to upholding the standards of academic integrity and ensuring that qualifications obtained by individuals are genuine and reflective of their actual capabilities.
Moving forward, it is imperative for the government to work in collaboration with relevant international bodies and educational institutions to establish robust mechanisms for verifying the authenticity of academic qualifications obtained from foreign countries. This collaborative effort will not only serve to strengthen the credibility of academic credentials but also to safeguard the interests of individuals and employers who rely on the legitimacy of these qualifications.
In conclusion, the decision by the federal government to suspend the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from certain African countries is a pivotal step towards addressing the pervasive issue of fraudulent academic qualifications. This move underscores the government’s commitment to upholding the integrity of academic credentials and ensuring that individuals are not able to exploit the system through unscrupulous means. It is imperative for all stakeholders, including educational institutions, employers, and regulatory bodies, to collectively work towards establishing a robust framework for the validation and authentication of academic qualifications, thereby safeguarding the credibility and integrity of the educational landscape in Nigeria.
