The Coalition of Stakeholders in Education (CSE) in the Republic of Benin has called on the Nigerian government to lift the prohibition on degree credentials obtained from universities in the Benin Republic and Togo. The group emphasized that punitive measures should target individuals who obtained their certificates from unaccredited institutions or through fraudulent means rather than penalizing all graduates from these countries.

At a press conference held on Monday, CSE leaders—Dr. Shittu Sanny, Gabriel Kona, Abiola Daramola, and Hodonou Nohunun—voiced their concerns over the recent retroactive invalidation of degrees from these countries. They urged the Nigerian government to reconsider its stance, particularly following comments made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, regarding the legitimacy of degrees obtained from Benin Republic and Togo.

Kona, one of the key speakers at the event, criticized the Minister’s recent statements, arguing that the retroactive disqualification of certificates was unreasonable and unfair. According to Kona, the Minister’s remarks overlooked key facts about the accreditation status of universities in both countries.

“In Benin alone, there are eight public universities and 95 private universities accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research,” Kona explained. He also pointed out that Togo had more than three accredited universities, directly contradicting the Minister’s claims.

The controversy arose following a statement from Prof. Mamman, where he claimed that only three universities in Togo and five in Benin Republic were accredited to offer degrees. He further alleged that between 2019 and 2023, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had identified 21,684 students from Benin Republic and 1,105 from Togo with fake certificates.

In response, Kona highlighted discrepancies in the Minister’s information, citing evidence that Benin and Togo have more accredited universities than the government’s claims. He added that the academic programs in these countries, such as the three-year bachelor’s degree in Benin, are aligned with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which ensures the comparability of academic qualifications across African and European institutions.

Kona also addressed the issue of the language of instruction, noting that the Benin Republic permits education in both English and French, making the language of instruction irrelevant in determining the legitimacy of a degree. He expressed frustration over the Ministry’s actions, questioning the government’s commitment to Nigerian students studying abroad.

“Reliable sources from the Ministry of Education in Benin informed us that the list of accredited institutions in Benin was provided to the inter-ministerial committee that visited earlier this year,” Kona said. “The Minister’s retroactive invalidation of these certificates is unjustifiable. Has the Federal Ministry of Education been misleading Nigerian students all these years? What happens to the money paid by students for certificate evaluations? Why did the Ministry issue evaluations to these graduates for seven years?”

Dr. Shittu Sanny, another CSE leader, expressed concern for the welfare of Nigerian students and graduates who are now in limbo due to the government’s decision. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, emphasizing the distress and uncertainty these students are facing. Sanny urged the government to find a fair resolution that protects the future of these graduates while ensuring that fraudulent activities are curtailed.

“As a concerned father figure, President Bola Tinubu should intervene to save these students from the deprivation and uncertainty they currently face,” Sanny said. He further called for support mechanisms for these students, many of whom have invested significant time and resources in obtaining their education abroad, only to find their qualifications now under threat.

The CSE leaders stressed that rather than a blanket ban on degrees from Benin and Togo, the Nigerian government should focus on identifying and sanctioning individuals who attended unaccredited institutions or engaged in fraudulent practices. By doing so, legitimate graduates from recognized institutions would not have to suffer the consequences of widespread invalidations.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) recently announced a Shift in their policy. This is in respect to the financial management of federal universities and research institutions as the federal government ordered that third-party research grant funds for federal universities and research institutions be kept out of the Treasury Single Account.

According to a letter sent to Vice Chancellors on September 6, 2024, the minister of education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, conveyed the directive from the president to the coordinating minister of Finance and National Economy, Wale Edun, mandating new financial regulations, as reported by Channels Television.

This change will be aimed at increasing the financial independence of universities and research institutions, encouraging research and innovation in the country.

The letter, signed by Acting Executive Secretary Chris Maiyaki, explains that funds from research grants given by external sources will no longer be managed through the Treasury Single Account. This change, as stated, is meant to give federal universities and research institutes more control over their finances and make their financial processes more efficient.

“The National Universities Commission received the directive from the Honourable Minister of Education, Ref. DE/HE/37/VII/324 and dated 4th September 2024, forwarding the correspondence from the Principal Secretary to the President, State House, also vide PRES/87/MF/71/198/MBEP/15 and dated 23rd July 2024, on the above subject,” the letter reads.

The new policy aims to bolster the financial independence of universities and research institutions. Reports expand that by allowing these institutions to manage their endowment fund accounts in commercial banks, the government’s aim to facilitate increased research activities and innovations will be accomplished.

This shift is expected to provide universities with more control over their financial resources, potentially leading to more dynamic and responsive research environments.

This directive provides universities and research institutions with the authority to operate their endowment funds independently of the Treasury Single Account.

This move is designed to enhance operational efficiency and support the institutions’ efforts in research and development.

Further reports state that the policy change reflects a broader effort to strengthen the financial management capabilities of educational and research institutions across the country.

The federal government has mandated that third-party research grant funds for federal universities and research institutions be excluded from the Treasury Single Account.

In a letter from the National Universities Commission to Vice Chancellors dated September 6, 2024 and seen by our correspondent on Monday in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, conveyed the President’s directive to the Coordinating Minister of Finance and National Economy, Wale Edun, authorizing the exemption.

The regulation also gives universities and research institutions the freedom to manage their endowment fund accounts in commercial banks.

This measure is designed to increase the financial autonomy of universities and research institutes, thereby fostering research and innovation throughout the country.

The letter from the NUC, signed by the Acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, reads: “The National Universities Commission received the directive from the Honourable Minister of Education, Ref. DE/HE/37/VII/324 and dated 4th September 2024, forwarding the correspondence from the Principal Secretary to the President, State House, also vide PRES/87/MF/71/198/MBEP/15 and dated 23rd July 2024, on the above subject.”

“The letter communicates Mr President’s directive to the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to exclude third-party research grant funds of federal universities and research institutes from the Treasury Single Account (and to grant universities and research institutes autonomy in operating their endowment fund accounts in commercial banks. Please see attached.”