FG to Revoke Fake Degrees from Togo and Benin
In an effort to combat the proliferation of fake degree certificates, the Federal Government has identified eight universities in Togo and the Benin Republic that are accredited to award degrees to Nigerians.
Mamman revealed that an alarming 22,500 Nigerians have obtained fraudulent degree certificates from institutions in these two countries, all of which will be invalidated.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.
This revelation follows an undercover investigation that highlighted the ease with which fake degrees can be acquired, including a case where a Nigerian journalist obtained a degree from a Benin Republic university in just two months and subsequently used it to secure a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployment.
The recognised universities in Togo are:
- Université De Lomé
- Université De Kara
- Catholic University of West Africa
In the Benin Republic, the following universities are accredited:
- Université D’Abomey-Calavi
- Université De Parakou
- Université Nationale Des Sciences, Technologies, Ingénierie Et Mathématiques
- Université Nationale D’Agriculture
- Université Africaine De Développement Coopératif
The minister firmly stated that the Federal Government will not reverse its decision to cancel the 22,700 certificates awarded to Nigerians by these so-called “fake” universities in neighbouring Togo and Benin Republic.
Mamman justified the decision, arguing that it was necessary to protect the country’s reputation, as many of those holding fake certificates had never even left Nigeria, obtaining their qualifications through racketeering schemes involving government officials both at home and abroad.
“The fake universities exploited the gullibility of Nigerians who patronised such dubious institutions,” Mamman said.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government, through the offices of the Head of Civil Service and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, would identify and remove those in government employment with such fraudulent certificates. He also urged the private sector to take similar action.
