In response to the recent ban on degree certificates from universities in Benin Republic and Togo by the Nigerian government, Nigerian students studying in these countries have expressed their dissatisfaction, citing the move as confusing and detrimental to genuine students.
The ban was imposed following an undercover report revealing fraudulent practices in some universities in Benin Republic and Togo. However, in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Favour Ikenna, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Benin Republic, condemned the fraudulent activities but appealed for a reconsideration of the ban.
Ikenna, a final-year Computer Science student at ISCG University in Cotonou, emphasized that not all Nigerian students or universities in these countries are involved in certificate fraud. He stated, “It is not all Nigerian students in Benin Republic and Togo who buy certificates, and we also believe it can’t be all their universities selling certificates.”
While acknowledging the government’s efforts to uphold academic integrity, NANS highlighted the negative consequences of the ban on legitimate students. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, Senate President of NANS, underscored the significant investment of time, effort, and resources by these students in their educational pursuits.
Warning against a blanket suspension of certificates from these countries, Afeez cautioned that such a move could harm diplomatic and educational relations between Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as Togo.
