The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the federal government to take action against Nigerian universities offering unaccredited courses. This request comes in the wake of the recent decision by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to suspend the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the Republic of Benin and Togo.
The Ministry of Education had blacklisted approximately 18 foreign learning institutions following an undercover investigation that exposed the practices of a degree mill in Cotonou, Benin Republic. The investigation disclosed that an undercover reporter graduated from a Cotonou institution in just six weeks and completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program as required.
NANS, in a statement signed by its Senate President, Elvis Ekundina, commended the federal government for the swift decision to suspend the accreditation of degree certificates obtained from institutions in Benin Republic and Togo. However, the student association urged the government to extend its sanctions to tertiary institutions within Nigeria offering courses without proper accreditation.
The statement called for an investigation into the activities of the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and other agencies implicated in fraudulent activities related to obtaining degree certificates from foreign universities.
While appreciating the government’s quick action, NANS emphasized the importance of further investigations to address the issue comprehensively and restore the country’s image. The association also urged the government to focus on privately owned tertiary institutions offering unaccredited courses, describing them as illegal institutions that jeopardize the education sector and exploit unsuspecting students.
Elvis Ekundina, on behalf of NANS, called on the Federal Government to collaborate with student bodies, including NANS, to eliminate illicit tertiary educational institutions from the country. The goal is to reposition the education sector and ensure the delivery of accredited and quality courses to Nigerian students.
