In a significant move, the Federal Ministry of Education announced the suspension of the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates obtained from institutions in the Republic of Benin and Togo. This decision came after the ministry blacklisted approximately 18 learning institutions following an undercover investigation that exposed a degree mill operating in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has applauded the government’s decision but has urged similar measures against home-based institutions offering unaccredited courses. In a statement signed by factional National Senate President Elvis Ekundina, NANS commended the swift action taken by the Federal Government in response to the fraudulent activities revealed in the investigation.
NANS expressed concerns about the deceptive methods employed by some Nigerians to acquire degrees from Benin Republic and Togo, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and other agencies implicated in fraudulent practices related to foreign universities.
While supporting the government’s suspension of accreditation for degrees from Benin Republic and Togo, NANS called for an extension of similar sanctions to domestic tertiary institutions offering courses without proper accreditation. The Ministry association described the actions of such institutions as fraudulent, asserting that they undermine the education sector and exploit unsuspecting students.
Elvis Ekundina, speaking on behalf of NANS, urged the Federal Government to collaborate with student bodies, including NANS, to eradicate illegal tertiary learning institutions within the country. The statement emphasized the importance of this collaboration in reshaping and repositioning Nigeria’s education sector.
Recent investigative reports by PUNCH Newspapers highlighted the alarming situation of a polytechnic in Abeokuta, Ogun State, named Havard College of Science, Business and Management Studies. The polytechnic was found to be offering courses such as Law, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, traditionally exclusive to universities. NANS condemned such institutions as illegal and called for appropriate action by the government against them to safeguard the integrity of the education sector and protect students from fraudulent practices.
