The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to apprehending individuals possessing fake university credentials within the nation through security agencies.
Education Minister Tahir Mamman addressed attendees at the first quarterly citizens and stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, discussing Nigeria’s education sector.
Nigerians were assured by the minister of an upcoming transformation in the education landscape, underpinned by the unveiling of a detailed 13-pillar roadmap.
The minister reiterated the importance of establishing a reliable database to enable effective planning within the education sector, with a particular emphasis on the basic level. This database is designed to promote skills acquisition and development while minimizing the occurrence of out-of-school children.
At the start of the year, in January, the minister had affirmed that security operatives would intensify efforts to apprehend Nigerians utilizing fake certificates from foreign countries to gain opportunities within the nation.
Mamman had described such individuals as criminals and not victims. “I have no sympathy for such people. Instead, they are part of the criminal chain that should be arrested,” the minister had said.
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The minister had also said the Federal Government would suspend degree certificates from more countries like Uganda, Kenya and the Niger Republic.
“We are not going to stop at just Benin and Togo. We are going to extend the dragnet to countries like Uganda, Kenya, even Niger here where such institutions have been set up,” he had said.
An investigative journalist, working incognito, revealed the intricate process of obtaining a degree from a university in Benin Republic within a mere two months, followed by enrollment in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The Federal Government promptly halted the accreditation of certificates from the two francophone West African countries and commenced an inquiry. The minister stipulated that the investigation should deliver its report within three months.