FG Defends Invalidation Of Over 22,700 Certificates From Togo, Benin Republic

Education Minister Tahir Mamman, speaking on Channels Television’s *Sunday Politics*, highlighted the damage caused to Nigeria’s reputation by degree certificates obtained from illegal universities in Benin Republic and Togo. He emphasized that the decision to invalidate these certificates was not harsh, as authorities in both countries also recognize these institutions as fraudulent.

The issue gained attention last year when an undercover journalist obtained a degree from a Benin Republic university in less than two months and was deployed for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Following this revelation, the Federal Government suspended the accreditation of certificates from these two nations and initiated an investigation.

During a press conference marking his first year in office, the minister disclosed that over 22,700 Nigerians had obtained fake degrees from the two countries. This information was part of a report submitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by a committee tasked with investigating degree certificate fraud by foreign and local universities in Nigeria.

Mamman noted that the Federal Government only recognizes three institutions in Togo and five in Benin Republic, with all others deemed illegal.

The institutions approved are only government schools, while private schools are disapproved. He further explained that many Nigerians holding these fake certificates never even traveled abroad but instead acquired them through fraudulent means in collaboration with government officials both locally and internationally.

The minister urged government agencies, including the Office of the Head of Civil Service and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to identify and remove individuals with such fake certificates from public service. He also encouraged the private sector to take similar action.