The Nigerian government has revealed that over 22,500 of its citizens are currently using fake certificates obtained from universities in Benin Republic and Togo between 2019 and 2023. This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during a press conference marking his first year in office.
According to Prof. Mamman, more than 21,600 of these fake certificates were acquired from unaccredited universities in Benin Republic, while about 1,105 came from similar institutions in Togo. He noted that these figures were largely gathered from records of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other sources. However, he cautioned that the actual number of fake certificates could be higher, as some individuals might have avoided the NYSC scheme or other activities that would have revealed their fraudulent qualifications.
The minister expressed concern that many of those with fake certificates have secured jobs in both government and private sectors, often under the pretense of having studied abroad, while genuinely qualified individuals struggle to find employment. He also pointed out that the universities in question were not accredited to offer degree programs, questioning why Nigerians would choose to study at such institutions.
To address the issue, Prof. Mamman announced that the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation is preparing a circular to help identify and prosecute those using fake certificates. Private sector employers are also urged to investigate their staff’s foreign qualifications and report any fraudulent certificates to the Federal Ministry of Education for prosecution. He clarified that only five universities in Benin and three in Togo are accredited to offer degrees, and graduates from these institutions will not face punitive actions.
In addition, the minister highlighted progress in reducing the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, stating that around four million children have been brought back to school through various initiatives, primarily led by the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children. The government’s goal is to reintegrate 3 to 4 million children into the education system each year, with hopes of significantly reducing the out-of-school population by the end of the current administration.
Credit: AkureNews
