The federal government of Nigeria has announced the suspension of the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates obtained from Benin Republic and Togo.
The decision, communicated through a statement on Tuesday, January 2, and signed by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, comes as a response to concerns over unethical practices.
The statement expressed dismay over Nigerians resorting to illicit methods to acquire degrees with the aim of securing job opportunities for which they lack qualification. The suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of an investigation that involves collaboration between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education in Nigeria, as well as the concerned authorities in Benin Republic and Togo. The Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) are also participating in the joint inquiry.
This development follows an investigative report by the Daily Nigerian Newspaper titled “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks.”
