The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to cracking down on individuals with fake university certificates in Nigeria, emphasizing that security agencies will take decisive action against offenders. The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, made this declaration during the first quarterly citizens and stakeholders’ engagement in Nigeria’s education sector held in Abuja.
Mamman highlighted the importance of transforming the education sector and unveiled a 13-pillar roadmap aimed at driving significant changes. He emphasized the need to establish a reliable database to enhance skills acquisition, development, and reduce the number of out-of-school children.
In January, Mamman had previously warned about Nigerians with fake certificates obtained from foreign countries, labeling them as criminals rather than victims. He asserted that such individuals would face legal consequences.
Moreover, Mamman announced the government’s intention to suspend degree certificates from additional countries, including Uganda, Kenya, and Niger, where institutions are reportedly issuing fraudulent credentials.
This renewed effort comes in response to an investigative report revealing how easy it was to obtain a degree from a university in Benin Republic within a short period, leading to the immediate suspension of accreditation for certificates from Benin and Togo. The government initiated a probe into the matter, aiming to expand its scrutiny to other countries identified as sources of fake degrees.
