FG Identifies Over 21,000 Nigerians with Fake Degrees from Foreign Institutions

The Federal Government of Nigeria has uncovered that at least 21,600 Nigerians are holding fake degrees obtained from unaccredited institutions, often referred to as “degree mills,” in countries such as Benin Republic and Togo. This alarming revelation was made by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.

Professor Mamman highlighted that these fake degrees have been a significant issue, with 1,105 individuals identified as having obtained such degrees from institutions in Togo alone. “The federal government is committed to flushing out these fake degrees from both Nigerian and foreign universities,” the Minister stated.

To address this issue, the government has directed the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to issue a circular aimed at identifying and removing individuals holding these fraudulent certificates from the system. Professor Mamman emphasized, “In Togo, there are only three universities officially approved and licensed to offer degree courses, and in Benin Republic, there are five such institutions. We must ensure that only genuine degrees are recognized.”

This announcement follows the government’s decision in March to establish an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Fake Degree Certificate Milling. The committee was formed in response to an investigative report by Daily Nigerian, which exposed the activities of degree mills in the Benin Republic and other neighboring countries.

In addition to addressing the issue of fake degrees, Professor Mamman also discussed other challenges facing the education sector, including the high cost of electricity for tertiary institutions. He revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved a long-term solution to power these institutions through compressed natural gas (CNG), which is expected to reduce their energy costs significantly.

The Minister also spoke about efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Over the past year, the Ministry of Education, through its various agencies, has successfully returned about four million children to school. “We aim to continue this effort annually, ensuring that four million out-of-school children are returned to classrooms each year to address this pressing issue,” Professor Mamman said.

He further mentioned the work of the newly established Almajiri Commission, which has registered 20,000 students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to resume school in the next academic session. “This initiative will extend to other states, ensuring that our children receive the education they deserve,” he added.

The Minister also outlined plans to improve the welfare and development of teachers in Nigeria. A committee has been set up in collaboration with UNESCO and the World Bank to review and enhance existing policies related to teacher support. “Once these policies are implemented over the next three years, we expect to see a complete transformation of our education system,” he remarked.

In light of recent incidents, such as the tragic school building collapse in Jos, Professor Mamman assured that the government would work closely with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to inspect and ensure the safety of school facilities across the country. “This collaboration is crucial in preventing future tragedies and ensuring the safety of our students,” he affirmed.

Lastly, the Minister addressed concerns regarding the potential for strike actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). He noted that efforts are underway to meet the union’s demands and avert any disruption to the academic calendar.