FG Probes Private Universities Amidst Certificate Racketeering Allegations

The Federal Ministry of Education has taken a decisive step by establishing a committee to investigate private universities established in the last 15 years.

This inquiry aims to assess the facilities, management structures, funding of programs, and other essential aspects of these institutions to ensure compliance with prescribed standards.

Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader effort to address concerns regarding illegal universities and allegations of degree certificate racketeering, both domestically and among foreign private universities in Nigeria.

During the inauguration of the inter-ministerial committee on degree mills, Mamman outlined the committee’s functions, highlighting a comprehensive review of policies and procedures related to accreditation, identification of weaknesses contributing to the issue, and an examination of recognition and accreditation processes for foreign universities and programs.

The investigative spotlight on degree mills gained traction following an expose by a reporter, Umar Audu, from the Daily Nigerian newspaper. Audu’s report detailed the ease with which a degree was obtained within six weeks from institutions in Benin Republic, shedding light on widespread malpractices in West African states.

The fallout from this investigation prompted the Nigerian government to impose a ban on the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from Benin Republic and Togo. Minister Mamman extended the scrutiny to other African countries like Ghana, aiming to ensure educational integrity and protect Nigerian students from unaccredited institutions.

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The repercussions of this ban are far-reaching, affecting approximately 10,900 Nigerian students studying in Benin and Togo, according to statistics provided by the National Association of Nigerian Students in those countries. Additionally, the National Universities Commission revealed that 18 out of 58 suspended universities in Nigeria are foreign-owned.

The establishment of this committee reflects the government’s commitment to quality education, aiming to strengthen recognition, accreditation, and quality assurance processes while safeguarding students from fraudulent institutions both within and outside Nigeria.