In a bid to address the growing concern of degree mills and individuals with fake certificates, the Ministry of Education has announced that security agencies will be actively involved in tracking down such individuals.
This development comes after the establishment of a committee tasked with investigating the activities of degree mills in the country.
Following an eye-opening investigative report published by the Daily Nigerian, which shed light on the operations of degree mills in Benin Republic, the Federal Ministry of Education took decisive action. The report exposed how a journalist, Umar Audu, was able to obtain a degree within a remarkably short period and even participate in the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
Consequently, the Nigerian government banned the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from Benin Republic and Togo, aiming to curb the illegal practices prevalent in some tertiary institutions in these West African countries. Additionally, the investigative committee was charged with examining private universities established in the last 15 years within Nigeria.
As part of their fact-finding mission, the committee reached out to the public for input and conducted visits to institutions in Benin Republic. The committee is expected to submit its comprehensive report in the near future, prompting Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, to affirm that individuals with fake certificates will face apprehension and scrutiny by security agencies.
During the first quarterly citizens’ engagement held in Abuja, Minister Mamman emphasized the government’s commitment to combatting fake degrees. He stated, “Once the report is submitted, I can assure you that individuals with fake certificates will be apprehended. They will be tracked by security agencies.”
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, who also attended the engagement, highlighted the significance of the event in creating awareness about the ministry’s activities. He emphasized the importance of fostering mutual understanding with stakeholders, building public trust, and enhancing transparency and accountability within the education sector. The engagement aims to identify and address operational challenges, thereby improving efficiency in government operations.
The government’s renewed focus on combating degree mills and fake certificates underscores its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the education system while ensuring that qualified individuals receive due recognition for their legitimate achievements