- Slams Ban On 18 Varsities (Full List)
- How Francophone Countries Benefited From Fake Certificates Awarded To Nigerians – Ex-NUC Secretary
- NANS Begs FG To Reconsider Legitimate Nigerian Graduates From Togo, Benin Republic, Others
Following an expose into the activities of fake result racketeering ring operating in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education has begun a clampdown on activities of these nefarious ring.
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The Matrix reports that earlier on Tuesday, the Federal Government suspended certificates from two francophone West African countries following an investigative report detailing how a degree was acquired from a university in Benin Republic in two months.
According to the investigation, the investigative reporter bagged a degree from Cotonou University within six weeks and participated in the mandatory one-year scheme organised by the National Youth Service Corps.
Taking it a step further, FG announced an 18-numbered banned foreign university in Nigeria.
Following data analysis from the National Universities Commission website, a list of foreign universities delisted by the NUC has been compiled. They are;
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1. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
2. Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
3. The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
4. Columbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
5. Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
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6. Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
7. London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
8. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
9. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
10. EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.
11. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
12. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.
13. Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
14. University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
15. Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
16. African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
17. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.
18. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.
Meanwhile, a former Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Suleiman Ramon-Yusuf, has accused the Francophone West African countries of benefitting from issuing dubious degrees to Nigerians.
Ramon-Yusuf, who was made an appearance as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday said, “Many of these francophone countries have benefited so much from the dubious degrees they give to Nigerians and that is why Africa cannot achieve the same level of mobility that people enjoy in Europe under the Erasmus programme.”
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According to him, Africa started the mobility and mutual recognition of certificates before the Europeans but has not made progress because of the education corruption in francophone countries.
He maintained that Nigerians with questionable certificates from francophone countries are not victims, adding that they took that option because they find it difficult to get admitted to Nigerian universities.
“There is no victim, all those people with these certificates are clear-headed crooks who knew what they were paying for because some of them are people who cannot pass the UTME, and some do not have five O-level credits.
“So, they go shopping for these bogus institutions where they get their bogus qualifications from.”
Ramon-Yusuf added that the Nigerian government needs to do more than suspend the certificates from these two countries, as this is not the first time the issue has come up.
“We need to do more than that because this is not the first time this matter is coming to the fore. Now, we need to do something different. Many of these francophone countries don’t have national quality assurance agencies,” he said.
He also called for the inclusion of the NUC in the committee being put together by the Federal Government to look into the matter as that was the statutory agency responsible for the quality assurance of university education in Nigeria.
In a related development, the National Union of Nigerian Students (NANS) has asked the Federal Government to reassess the suspension placed on the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo.
In a statement by NANS Senate President, Akinteye Afeez, the students’ body said the government’s commitment to upholding the integrity of academic qualifications was commendable but urged the government to “carefully consider” the impact of the decision on legitimate students who have pursued their education in these countries.
NANS noted that many of the students have completed one, two, or three years of study, while others have successfully graduated and are eagerly awaiting the approval of their evaluation lists to participate in the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) program.
The body added that these students now find themselves in a state of uncertainty, facing potential delays in their academic and professional pursuits.
“We believe there is a need for reassessment. While the reported corruption is undoubtedly a cause for concern, it is crucial to distinguish between those involved in fraudulent activities and the vast majority of students who have pursued their education genuinely,” the statement partly read.
“Furthermore, Benin Republic and Togo host a significant number of Nigerian students seeking quality education. A blanket suspension can strain diplomatic and educational relations, impacting the opportunities available to Nigerian students in these neighbouring countries.
“A reconsideration of the suspension would alleviate the stress and uncertainties these students currently face.”
According to NANS, the Federal Government should reverse the suspension, while maintaining a rigorous and transparent evaluation process.
