The groups during a press conference jointly organised on Friday in Abuja said the stigmatisation of degree certificates from Togo and the Republic of Benin higher institutions by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, appeared to be an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the institutions for personal gain.
The West African Francophone Universities Alumni (WAFUA) and the National Association of Nigerian Students Diaspora (NANS Diaspora), have condemned in strongest terms, the declaration of degree certificates from Togo and Republic of Benin universities invalid by the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government.
The groups during a press conference jointly organised on Friday in Abuja said the stigmatisation of degree certificates from Togo and the Republic of Benin higher institutions by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, appeared to be an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the institutions for personal gain.
The Minister of Education had on August 23, 2024 declared all degree certificates issued from Togo and Republic of Benin since 2017 as invalid.
Mamman during a press conference marking his one year in office in Abuja had said that over 22,700 Nigerians obtained fake degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.
Recall that in January 2024, the federal government inaugurated a committee to probe private universities established in the last 15 years.
The committee, headed by Jibrin Amin, a former vice chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, was also mandated to investigate degree certificate racketeering by foreign and local universities in Nigeria.
In late 2023, an investigative report by a Nigerian investigative journalist exposed an alarming certificate racketeering syndicate in Benin Republic and Togo that specialises in selling university degrees to willing buyers in Nigeria.
The journalist revealed how he obtained a backdated university degree certificate from Cotonou within six weeks without leaving Nigeria.
He proceeded to use the fake certificate to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme without detection.
The investigation led to the Nigerian government’s decision to inaugurate a committee to probe private universities established in the last 15 years and the subsequent declaration made by the minister.
But WAFUA and NANS Diaspora on Friday said, “We would like to outline the measures implemented by the Nigerian government to verify the authenticity of certificates from the Republic of Benin and Togo:
“Verification of accreditation levels as listed in the UNESCO universities handbook maintained by the Ministry of Education.
“Evaluation and generation of remita. Submission of transcripts, O-level, and degree certificates. Screening and competency assessments conducted by the NYSC, among other rigorous processes involved in confirming the authenticity of our educational credentials.
“Embassies of Nigeria having the Benin guide the orientation which carries all universities both private and public as its handbook.
“The measures mentioned above have been implemented by the Nigerian government and have been in effect for nearly a decade.”
According to the associations, “It is surprising that someone has suddenly decided to undermine this process, which has rendered over 30,000 graduates from these universities feeling worthless and left them with uncertain futures, causing them significant psychological distress.
“We are astonished that the Minister would publicly discredit universities that are duly accredited by the governments and education ministries of those nations.
“It is inconceivable that the authorities in these West African countries would tolerate fraudulent institutions, especially those that have been operating for many years.”
They said “The Minister's declaration appears to be an attempt to tarnish the reputation of these institutions for personal gain, likely to curry favor with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially as rumors suggest the President may be reshuffling his cabinet and the Minister's position could be at risk due to his perceived incompetence.
“Additionally, the Minister's recent statement that only individuals aged 18 and above are eligible for higher education contradicts the established 6-3-3-4 education system.
“This clearly indicates that the individual overseeing such a vital sector is out of touch with current realities.
“We commend journalists and individuals who take significant risks to verify the authenticity of certificates, both domestically and internationally.
“It is important to note that the issue of fake certificates is not limited to foreign universities.
“The recent demobilisation of over 100 students from the University of Calabar and other institutions by the National Youth Service Corps supports this assertion.
“This illustrates that no system is without flaws, and the presence of a few bad actors does not render the majority ineffective.”
Appealing to the president to reverse the government’s decision, they said, “In view of our own perspective as mentioned, we wish to call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to promptly intervene in our matter as reasonable graduates from these countries are on the verge of losing their jobs and means of livelihood.
“It is crucial to address the security implications of this hasty generalisation, especially as the current atmosphere is already tense.”