The Federal Government is soliciting input from the public as it launches an inquiry into privately-owned universities established within the past 15 years.
Prompted by an exposé from Umar Audu, a journalist at Daily Nigerian, the Federal Government has launched an investigation into certificate fraud in nearby Benin Republic and Togo.
Investigations have brought to light the fact that a total of 107 private universities were established in the past 15 years.
The Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling set up by the Federal Government would be examining “whether or not private universities established in the last 15 years have in place prescribed facilities, appropriate management structure, adequate funding of programmes, requisite state, and nature of the staff – full-time, contract, adjunct, visiting and other types.”
The committee, in an advertorial, noted that the probe was “without prejudice to the periodic accreditation exercise of the National Universities Commission.”
“Memoranda from the general public are, therefore, solicited to provide information to the committee to help it make appropriate recommendations to address the menace in line with its terms of reference,” the committee said.
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Audu, the investigative journalist from Daily Nigerian, detailed in his report from late last year the account of how he managed to earn a degree in just six weeks from Benin Republic, followed by his participation in the mandatory youth service program under the National Youth Service Corps in the same country.
In response, the Federal Government announced on January 9, 2024, its intent to initiate a thorough investigation into the establishment of private universities within the past 15 years.
Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, revealed this development in Abuja during the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with addressing the proliferation of fake degrees and the operations of degree mills across the nation.
The Chairman of the Committee, Jibrila Amin, highlighted that the inter-ministerial body’s mandate includes scrutinizing the involvement of any government entity or its personnel, with a focus on pinpointing individuals, in aiding the acquisition and endorsement of the fraudulent certificates in question.
The committee will also”examine the rules, procedures and processes for recognition and accreditation of foreign universities and programmes by the Federal Ministry of Education; Establish if unapproved foreign institutions (Degree Mills) exist or not in Nigeria in whatever form with their identities and locations if any.”
It is expected to “make appropriate recommendations for review of any rules, procedures, and processes to prevent re-occurrence and sanctions for identified erring officials.
He requested making additional recommendations to enhance the system of recognition, accreditation, and quality assurance of degrees in Nigeria. Furthermore, he inquired about examining the current rules, procedures, and processes governing the granting of provisional licenses to new universities by the National Universities Commission.