Federal Government to Crack Down on Fake University Certificates

The Nigerian Federal Government has announced its intention to crack down on individuals with fake university certificates in the country. Education Minister Tahir Mamman made this disclosure at an event in Abuja on Tuesday, April 2.

Mamman emphasized the need for a reliable and authentic database to promote skills acquisition and development while reducing the number of out-of-school children, especially at the basic level. He stated that security agencies would be involved in this initiative to ensure proper planning in the education sector.

Earlier in January, the minister had announced plans to go after Nigerians with fake certificates from foreign countries, including Benin and Togo, who were using them to secure opportunities in Nigeria. He expressed no sympathy for such individuals, considering them part of the criminal chain that should be arrested.

Furthermore, Mamman mentioned the government's intention to suspend degree certificates from additional countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and Niger Republic, where institutions issuing questionable degrees have been identified.

The crackdown follows an investigative report by an undercover journalist who revealed how easy it was to acquire a degree from a university in Benin Republic and use it to gain admission into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) within two months.

The Federal Government has already suspended the accreditation of certificates from Benin and Togo and has launched a probe, expecting the report to be submitted within three months.