On Tuesday, the Federal Ministry of Education, acting on behalf of the Federal Government, declared the suspension of the evaluation and accreditation process for degree certificates obtained from the Republic of Benin and Togo. This decision comes in the wake of an undercover investigation conducted by a Nigerian newspaper, revealing the operation of a degree mill in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The investigative report exposed the dubious activities of the Cotonou University, where a journalist obtained a degree within six weeks and actively participated in the mandatory one-year scheme organized by the National Youth Service Corps.
In response to this revelation, the Federal Ministry of Education has taken swift action to halt the evaluation and accreditation of degrees from these countries. The National Universities Commission (NUC) has compiled a list of foreign universities, including those from Benin and Togo, that are now banned.
The NUC emphasized the need for caution, urging Nigerians to refrain from enrolling in institutions listed on this ban. The move aims to safeguard the credibility and integrity of educational qualifications, signaling the government’s commitment to combatting fraudulent practices in the certification process.
This suspension underscores the significance of thorough scrutiny in accrediting foreign degrees and reinforces the government’s commitment to maintaining high educational standards.
The commission also warned Nigerians to avoid enrolling in such institutions.
- University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
- Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
- The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
- Collumbus University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.
- Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
- Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.
- Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.
- Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.
