The Federal Government has announced a major crackdown on workers in both the public and private sectors who hold fake degree certificates obtained from institutions in Benin Republic and Togo. The decision follows an investigation and recommendations from an inter-ministerial committee set up to address the issue.
On Friday, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, revealed this new policy during a press conference marking his one-year anniversary in office. He stated that the decision to dismiss workers with fake degrees was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during a recent meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
Professor Mamman explained that the problem is widespread, involving thousands of fake degrees. He said that an inter-ministerial committee had investigated the issue and found that many of the institutions in Benin Republic and Togo issuing these degrees are not licensed to offer degree programs.
“Most of the institutions attended by Nigerian students in these countries are not licensed,” Mamman said. “The committee’s review revealed that a large number of certificates from these institutions are fake. For instance, from 2019 to 2023, about 21,684 students have been identified with fake certificates from Benin Republic, and about 1,105 from Togo.”
The Minister further clarified that only a few universities in these countries are officially approved to offer degrees. In Togo, there are three licensed universities, while in Benin, there are five. Any institution not on these lists is not recognized by the Nigerian government.
The Federal Government’s decision includes several key actions to address the issue:
- Issuance of a Circular: The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) will issue a circular to all employers, both public and private, instructing them to identify and dismiss employees with degrees from the unlicensed institutions in Benin and Togo.
- Public Sector Review: The Head of Service has been directed to review and identify public sector workers with fake certificates. Those found to be holding fraudulent degrees will face dismissal.
- Increased Vigilance: The NYSC and immigration authorities will be involved in monitoring and verifying certificates to prevent further cases of fake degree holders slipping through the system.
Mamman emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating, “We cannot allow individuals with fake certificates to compete with students who have earned their degrees through hard work and legitimate means. It undermines the integrity of our educational system and employment standards.”
The issue of fake degree certificates has been a growing concern in Nigeria, with many students and workers seeking shortcuts to gain employment or academic advantages.
In recent years, there has been increasing scrutiny of educational institutions in countries like Benin and Togo, where some schools have been accused of offering degrees without proper accreditation.
