FG suspends accreditation of degrees from Benin Republic, Togo

The Federal Government has suspended the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo respectively.

The move is in response to a report revealing how a degree was acquired from a university in Benin Republic in under two months.

Augustina Obilor-Duru, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, stated on Tuesday, “This report lends credence to suspicions that some Nigerians deploy nefarious means to get a degree with the end objective of securing job opportunities for which they are not qualified.”

“The Federal Ministry of Education vehemently decries such acts and with effect from 2nd January 2024 is suspending evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics pending the outcome of an investigation that would involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the two countries, the ministries responsible for Education in the two countries as well the Department of State Security Services (DSSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).”

The ministry urged Nigerians to provide information to assist the committee in finding lasting solutions.

The statement further emphasised that the ministry has been addressing issues with illegal institutions, both abroad and at home, preying on unsuspecting Nigerians.

“FME has been contending with the problem including illegal institutions located abroad or at home preying on unsuspecting, innocent Nigerians and some desperate Nigerians who deliberately patronize such outlets,” the statement added.

“Periodically, warnings have been issued by the Ministry and NUC against the resort to such institutions and in some instances, reports made to security agencies to clamp down on the perpetrators. The ministry will continue to review its strategy to plug any loopholes, processes, and procedures and deal decisively with any conniving officials.”

The ministry commits to reviewing its strategy to prevent future occurrences and taking decisive action against conniving officials.