Government Cracks Down on Togo, Benin Degrees
The Nigerian Federal Government has dismissed civil servants with degrees from unaccredited institutions in Togo and Benin Republic. This directive, issued by the SGF, targets workers who graduated from these institutions between 2017 and now. The action forms part of ongoing efforts to combat certificate racketeering and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s civil service.
Investigation into Degree Certificate Racketeering
The crackdown follows a 2024 investigation revealing that thousands of Nigerians had been obtaining fake degrees from private universities in Togo and Benin. The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, had previously confirmed that over 22,500 certificates issued by these universities were fraudulent. The government’s investigation into degree mills, including universities in both countries, culminated in the cancellation of these degrees, which has sparked considerable controversy. The investigation report was submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) earlier this year.
Authorities Respond to Growing Concerns
The Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee’s findings led to the directive firing civil servants with questionable qualifications. An SGF source confirmed a memo directed MDAs to identify workers with degrees from unaccredited institutions. The government states this action is essential to maintain public trust and protect Nigeria’s international reputation.
Civil Servants Affected by the Directive
Although the exact number of affected civil servants has not been confirmed, it is believed that several employees from various MDAs, including the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), have already been dismissed. Caroline Embu, NYSC’s Director of Information, confirmed that five staff members had been sacked as part of the SGF’s directive. The issue of fake degree certificates has become a sensitive topic in Nigeria, as many citizens and public servants now face the consequences of obtaining degrees from unrecognized foreign universities.
Government Takes Action Against Racketeering
The Nigerian government is committed to combating certificate racketeering, which undermines the country’s educational standards and public institutions. Tahir Mamman emphasized that fake certificates acquired through racketeering harm Nigeria’s integrity and public institutions. He stated that cancelling fraudulent degrees was necessary to restore credibility in Nigeria’s educational and civil service sectors.
Private Sector Advised to Follow Suit
In light of these developments, the Federal Government has urged private sector employers to take similar actions regarding employees with dubious certificates from foreign institutions. Mamman called on Nigerian employers to carefully vet academic qualifications and avoid hiring individuals with fraudulent degrees. The government hopes to set a precedent for a more rigorous approach to certificate verification, ensuring that Nigeria’s workforce maintains high standards of professionalism and integrity.
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