The Nigerian government has said it would no longer recognise any degree certificate issued by Cotonou University in Benin Republic, particularly from 2017, as such certificates are invalid.
Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, made this known at a press briefing in Abuja.
He said the country will no longer tolerate holders of fake certificates competing with those who went to universities and polytechnics, studied and got genuine certificates.
“Some spent four, five, six, or more years going out to compete with people who procure certificates right here without going abroad,” he stated.
Mamman highlighted that some Nigerians have acquired fake degrees from institutions that are not officially recognised.
According to NYSC data, about 21,684 individuals possess fraudulent certificates from Benin Republic, issued between 2019 and 2023, while around 1,105 have fake degrees from Togo.
The Minister explained that only a few universities in Benin and Togo are officially accredited, and that degrees from unapproved institutions, especially those offering courses solely in English, are deemed invalid.
“Togo is about 1,105. How did that happen? They simply attend schools, which are not recognised in those countries,” the minister added.
He further stated that in the case of Togo, there are three universities that are officially approved and licensed to offer degrees and about five in Benin.
