In January 2024, the Nigerian government had announced the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the Benin Republic and Togo.
The President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has begun terminating public and civil service appointments secured with degrees obtained from private universities in the Republics of Benin and Togo from 2017 till date.
A letter signed by the National Youth Service Corps, Ibrahim A.M. Director (HRM) for the Director-General and addressed to one of its staff in Sokoto State, seen by SaharaReporters, claimed that the government, through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Cabinet Affairs), mandated all ministries and agencies to identify and terminate the appointment of any employees with degrees from Benin and Togo.
The letter reads: “Management is in receipt of a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Cabinet Affairs) (Extract of the Federal Executive Council), dated 30th July, 2024 on the above subject matter, directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to identify and terminate the appointments of individuals employed with certificates obtained from Private Universities in the Republics of Benin and Togo from 2017 to Date.
“It is regrettable to inform you that the ESAE University, Benin which you attended and obtained B.A International Relations, between 2014 and 2017 falls within the above stated category.
“In compliance with the Federal Government directive on the above, your appointment as Admin Officer II with NYSC is hereby terminated with immediate effect. You are therefore, to handover all government property in your possession to the State Coordinator before leaving.”
In January 2024, the Nigerian government had announced the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the Benin Republic and Togo.
This was contained in a statement signed by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education.
According to Duru, the decision followed an investigative report by Daily Nigerian Newspaper titled “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks,” published by Theumar Audu.
The Nigerian 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).
About the Author
