Former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, shared his thoughts on the prevalence of fake degree certificates from universities in Benin Republic and its impact on the education system in Nigeria. He emphasized the need for a shift in societal values, focusing on genuine knowledge acquisition rather than merely obtaining paper certificates. Adeniran discussed collaboration with neighboring countries, the role of legislative changes, and the importance of technology in detecting and preventing fraudulent qualifications.
The Ex-minister highlighted the responsibility of Nigerians to create a system that renders fake certificates meaningless, discouraging individuals from pursuing such credentials. Adeniran called for a reorientation of society to value education for its intellectual and moral training, essential for national development.
Drawing from his experience as the former Minister of Education, Adeniran mentioned initiatives to combat fake certificates, such as verification processes, visitation panels, and reforms to address issues like cultism. He stressed the importance of consequences for those involved in producing and accepting fraudulent certificates.
Addressing recent actions by the Federal Government against foreign degrees from Benin Republic, Togo, and others, Adeniran called for thorough investigations and punishment for those behind fraudulent activities. He expressed concern over the certificate-hunting culture in Nigeria and emphasized the need for consequences to deter such behavior.
Regarding the attraction of Nigerians to buy degrees from Benin Republic, Adeniran attributed it to corruption in Nigeria, stating that those individuals were taking advantage of the corrupt system. He disagreed with infrastructure as a
factor, noting that despite room for improvement, people can still earn degrees legitimately in Nigeria without resorting to buying fake qualifications.