All degree certificates issued by Cotonou University from 2017 onward will be declared invalid.

 

Additionally, all personnel employed by the Federal Government holding these certificates are to be immediately dismissed.

 

The federal government has ordered the termination of employees in both the public and private sectors who hold fraudulent degrees obtained from the Republics of Benin and Togo.

 

During a press briefing in Abuja on Friday to mark his first year in office, Minister of Education Tahir Mamman announced that these actions were approved in a recent meeting of the federal executive council, chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

 

He stated, “One of the things we addressed over the past year involved reports about some of our students going to neighbouring countries, and some not even attending, to obtain degrees.

 

“The ministry established a committee to investigate the issue; the committee provided a comprehensive review, which was submitted to the federal executive council about a month ago, leading to the approval of certain recommendations.

 

“These recommendations will now be implemented alongside other ministries and agencies involved, including NYSC and Immigration.

 

“We had to make significant decisions, leading to disciplinary measures for some affected staff, and a comprehensive review of the entire unit.

 

“But overall, we cannot allow individuals with fake degrees to compete with students who have genuinely graduated from our universities and polytechnics, who have invested four, five, or six years or more of their lives, while others obtain certificates without attending any institution.

 

“The FEC has now approved that, based on NYSC data, around 21,684 students have been found using fake degrees from the Benin Republic, obtained between 2019 to 2023.

 

“For Togo, the number is about 1,105. How does this happen? These students attend schools not recognised in those countries.

 

“It’s crucial to note that these institutions are not officially recognised in those countries. They are not accredited to offer degree programs there.

 

“Yet, some parents send their wards to these institutions. Naturally, we cannot recognise qualifications that are not recognised in their home countries.

 

“In Togo, there are only three universities officially approved to award degrees, and in Benin, there are about five.

 

“Therefore, anyone attending other institutions is holding a fraudulent certificate.

 

“From 2017, any student attending a university that operates solely in English is wasting their time because these are not approved institutions. That is their policy.

 

“However, many of our people still went there—some didn’t even bother to attend; remember, these numbers are only what we have. Many didn’t even attempt to go through NYSC.

 

“The actual number might be higher… Some tried to go but couldn’t pass the screening process and disappeared.

 

“In conclusion, what the federal government has approved is that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) will issue a circular to all employers, both public and private, to identify anyone with a certificate from these institutions—this circular may already have been released.

 

“The Head of Service has also been directed to identify anyone within the public service presenting such certificates.

 

“This is the federal government’s stance on the issuue”

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