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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Federal Ministry of Education suspended accreditation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.
The suspension followed an investigative report by an online newspaper, which unraveled a how a Benin Republic-based university awarded a degree certificate to an undercover journalist within six weeks.
A statement issued by the spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, Augustina Obilor-Duru, on Tuesday, stated that some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a degree with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified.
She said the suspension will be in place pending the outcome of an investigation involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry Education, Department of State Services, National Youths Service Corps and the two countries.
“The Federal Ministry of Education vehemently decries such acts and with effect from January 2, 2024 is suspending evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics pending the outcome of an investigation that would involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the two countries, the ministries responsible for Education in the two countries as well the Department of State Services (DSS) and National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).
“The Ministry therefore wish to call on the general public to support its efforts, show understanding and provide useful information that will assist the committee in finding lasting solutions in order to prevent further occurrence.
“The Ministry has also commenced internal administrative processes to determine the culpability or otherwise of her staff for which applicable Public Service Rules would be applied,” the statement read.