Underground Investigation Leads to Suspension of Degrees from Kenya and Others in Nigeria
The Nigerian government has been steadfast in its mission to eliminate counterfeit educational credentials, fortifying the credibility of accreditations and degrees nationwide. As a result, Nigerian authorities have suspended degrees from specific countries, including Kenya, Uganda, and Niger.
The intensified crackdown on fake degrees by the Nigerian government has resulted in the suspension of accreditation for degrees from Kenya, Uganda, and Niger. This recent action follows the earlier suspension of degrees from Benin Republic and Togo.
The Minister of Education in Nigeria has labeled individuals holding fake degrees as criminals, emphasizing the government’s commitment to eradicating this issue.
To combat the prevalence of fake degrees in Nigeria, the government has decided to restrict the acceptance of certain foreign degrees. Most recently, degrees from universities in Kenya, Uganda, and Niger have been deemed invalid by the Nigerian government.
This decision comes shortly after the suspension of accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo, as reported in The Punch, a Nigerian newspaper.
Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, highlighted during an interview on the Nigerian TV channel, Channels, that the crackdown would not be limited to Benin and Togo. He emphasized the government’s intention to extend its scrutiny to countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and Niger, where similar institutions are operating.
The initiative to crack down on counterfeit degrees was triggered by an expose conducted by a Nigerian journalist from the Daily Nigerian newspaper, who went undercover to investigate malpractices in tertiary institutions in Benin. The investigation revealed that a four-year degree could be obtained in as little as six weeks.
According to the report, “Cotonou is not only renowned for its thriving second-hand car business, known as ‘tokunbo,’ but also serves as a hub for those seeking expedited degrees. The prerequisites are O-level certificates – whether fake or genuine – and the required sum of money, varying based on the course, urgency, and degree classification.”
Tahir Mamman emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue promptly, which prompted swift sanctions against these countries. The Minister referred to students who willingly acquire such degrees as criminals, stating, “I have no sympathy for such individuals. Instead, they are part of a criminal chain that must be apprehended and dismantled.”
