The Federal Ministry of Education, on behalf of the Federal Government, has announced the suspension of accreditation for degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo. The government expressed concern about Nigerians resorting to unethical methods to obtain degrees in order to secure job opportunities for which they are not qualified. This decision was made following an investigative report by the Daily Nigerian Newspaper, which exposed how a reporter obtained a degree from a university in Cotonou within six weeks. The suspension will remain in effect until a thorough investigation is conducted, involving the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education of Nigeria, as well as the Department of State Security Services and the National Youth Service Corps.
The Federal Ministry of Education strongly condemns these actions and seeks the support and cooperation of the public in finding solutions to prevent such occurrences in the future. Internal administrative processes are also underway to determine the responsibility of ministry staff, with applicable Public Service Rules being upheld.
The issue of degree mills, which refers to institutions operating outside the control of regulatory bodies or existing solely on paper, is a global problem faced by many countries. The Federal Ministry of Education has been actively combating this issue, including illegal institutions both abroad and within Nigeria that prey on unsuspecting individuals. Warnings have been issued periodically, and reports have been made to security agencies to crack down on these illegal operations. The ministry will continue to review its strategies and take decisive actions against any officials involved in such activities.