Nigeria Turns Back, Rejects University Degree Certificates From Togo, Benin Republic

By Ayodele Oni

Following the controversy surrounding University degrees obtained at institutions in neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo, the Federal Government has announced the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the two countries.

This was contained in a statement on Tuesday, signed by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education.

According to Obilor-Duru, the decision followed an investigative report by a Nigerian Newspaper titled: “UNDERCOVER: reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in six weeks” published last week.

The Federal Government  lamented 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.”

According to the statement, the suspension persists pending the outcome of an investigation involving the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education of Nigeria and the two countries as well as the Department of State Security Services (DSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).