The Minister of Education in Nigeria , Prof. Tahir Mamman, revealed that over 22,500 Nigerians are currently using fake certificates obtained from unaccredited universities in Benin Republic and Togo between 2019 and 2023.
At a press conference in Abuja, marking his first anniversary in office, Mamman disclosed that 21,600 of these certificates were issued by institutions in Benin Republic, while 1,105 were from universities in Togo.
Mamman explained that the data was sourced from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other relevant bodies. He expressed concern that the actual number might be higher, as some individuals avoid the NYSC scheme, making it difficult to track their credentials.
“Unfortunately, these individuals have secured employment in both government and private sectors under the pretense of having studied abroad, while genuine degree holders struggle to find job opportunities,” Mamman said. He added that many of these universities are not accredited in their respective countries, and some certificate holders never attended the institutions in person.
The Minister confirmed that a circular is being prepared from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to identify and prosecute those using fake certificates. He also urged private sector employers to scrutinize their employees’ credentials and report any suspicious certificates to the Federal Ministry of Education.
Mamman noted that only five universities in Benin and three in Togo are accredited to offer degree programs, and graduates from these institutions are exempt from punitive measures.
In addition to addressing the issue of fake certificates, Mamman highlighted efforts by the government to reduce the number of out-of-school children. He announced that about four million children have been re-enrolled in schools through various programs, particularly those led by the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children. The Minister expressed the administration’s commitment to returning 3 to 4 million children to school annually, aiming for significant progress by the end of the current term.
This crackdown on fake certificates follows a recent investigative report by the Daily Nigerian, which exposed the widespread activities of degree mills in Benin Republic and Togo, further prompting the Nigerian government to ban the accreditation of degrees from these countries.
