The Nigerian government has begun dismissing civil servants with degrees from unaccredited institutions in Benin Republic and Togo, specifically targeting those who graduated since 2017. This decision, part of a wider effort to eliminate corruption in the civil service, was confirmed by government officials. Recent investigations revealed extensive fraudulent certification practices, prompting urgent action from the administration.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially announced the dismissal of civil service employees who possess degrees from unaccredited private tertiary institutions located in the Benin Republic and Togo. This action targets those who graduated from these institutions between 2017 and the present. The announcement was confirmed by Segun Imohiosen, spokesperson for the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who characterized this initiative as part of a broader effort to eliminate unqualified individuals from the nation’s civil service. In August, the government had previously identified only eight accredited universities authorized to confer degrees on Nigerians in these neighboring countries.
The decision follows a scandal uncovered by a Daily Nigerian journalist, Umar Audu, who was able to obtain a degree from a Benin Republic university in merely two months, subsequently using this qualification to enroll in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. Following these revelations, the Nigerian government initiated a ban on the approval and evaluation of degrees from institutions in Benin Republic, Togo, and other foreign universities. Furthermore, an interministerial committee was established to investigate the proliferation of fraudulent degree certifications.
According to former Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, the government revealed that over 22,500 Nigerian citizens had acquired counterfeit degree certificates from institutions in the aforementioned countries, resulting in a formal declaration that these certificates would be invalidated. Recent reports indicate that various government agencies, including the NYSC, have begun implementing this directive. NYSC Director of Information, Caroline Embu, confirmed that five workers were dismissed in accordance with the order from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
This policy shift follows vocal concerns raised by former Senator Shehu Sani in November 2024, highlighting the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to terminate employment for individuals holding unverifiable degrees from Benin Republic and Togo. The implications of this measure are significant, indicating a strong governmental stance against educational fraud and the integrity of public service qualifications.
The Nigerian government’s recent action to dismiss employees with degrees obtained from unaccredited institutions in the Benin Republic and Togo stems from a larger initiative to improve the quality and credibility of the civil service. Following alarming incidents involving fraudulent degree acquisition, the administration deemed it necessary to address the issue of certificate racketeering. The issuance of fake qualifications has led to a growing concern regarding the legitimacy of educational standards in Nigeria, prompting a comprehensive investigation and subsequent policy changes.
In conclusion, the Nigerian government’s aggressive action against employees holding unaccredited degrees from the Benin Republic and Togo signifies a commitment to improving the integrity of the civil service. The recent dismissals illustrate the government’s proactive measures against educational fraud, following the revelation of widespread certificate manipulation. This initiative not only aims to safeguard the credibility of public service qualifications but also underscores the administration’s resolve to maintain high educational standards within the nation.
Original Source: dailypost.ng
