The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman has revealed that over 22,500 Nigerians are using fake certificates obtained fraudulently from unaccredited universities in Benin Republic and Togo between 2019 and 2023.
Prof. Mamman added that only a total of eight universities are accredited to offer degree programmes in the countries with five in Benin and three in Togo.
During a press briefing in Abuja marking his first anniversary in office, Prof. Mamman disclosed that over 21,600 of these fake certificates were issued by unaccredited institutions in Benin Republic, while around 1,105 were obtained from unaccredited universities in Togo.
The Minister cited records from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other sources, suggesting that the actual number could be higher. He explained, “From all indications, the figure is likely greater because some individuals chose not to participate in the mandatory NYSC scheme or other engagements that would have enabled us to gather their data.”
To address the issue, the Minister confirmed that a circular is being prepared by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, aimed at identifying and prosecuting those involved. He also urged private sector employers to verify the authenticity of foreign certificates obtained between 2019 and 2023, ensuring that any fraudulent certificates are reported to the Federal Ministry of Education for legal action.
Prof. Mamman expressed concern that individuals with these fake certificates have secured jobs in both government and private sectors, often at the expense of qualified candidates. “It’s unfortunate that these people have used fake certificates to secure job opportunities while those who studied diligently are still searching for employment,” he said.
He further highlighted that many of these institutions in Benin and Togo are not accredited to offer degree programs. “Our investigations also indicated that many of these individuals never physically attended the schools,” he added.
According to him, individuals who graduated from the institutions that are accredited will not be subjected to punitive measures.
