To combat the proliferation of counterfeit university degrees, the Federal Government has announced plans to extend its assault beyond the Benin Republic and Togo to other African nations, including Uganda, Kenya, and the Niger Republic.
Tahir Mamman, the minister of education, revealed the information on Channels Television on Wednesday.
This development transpired after a clandestine investigation conducted by Umar Audu, who completed a one-year mandatory program organized by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and earned a degree in mass communication from ESGT, a university in Cotonou, Benin, in just six weeks.
Following this, the Federal Government declared the assessment and accreditation of degree certificates issued by the Republics of Benin and Togo halted.
“Our progress will extend beyond Benin and Togo alone.” Mamman stated, “We intend to expand the dragnet to nations such as Kenya, Uganda, and even Niger, where similar institutions have been established.”
Mamman stated that he does not pity the students who frequent these establishments, referring to them as “criminals” who warrant apprehension.
Additional security personnel will pursue individuals in Nigeria who have counterfeit certificates originating from foreign nations and are utilizing them to gain access to opportunities.
“If at some point we can determine that individuals are already in the system, then…” For example, if a specific establishment or operator has been operational for the past decade, we will attempt to obtain records about Nigerian students who have attended that establishment.
“Once we do that, they will be considered criminals, and as you are aware, criminality has no time limit.” Trace them down. “As long as we have access to their facilities and they remain in our vicinity, security agencies will pursue them because they are undesirables.”