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Fake Degree Holders to Face the Music as FG Cracks Down

Katsina City News
25 Aug, 2024
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Abuja, Nigeria - August 25, 2024

In a bold move to tackle academic fraud, the Federal Government has declared that all degree certificates obtained from Cotonou University between 2017 and present will be rendered invalid. Additionally, all personnel currently employed by the Federal Government who possess counterfeit degree certificates acquired from the Republics of Benin and Togo will be terminated immediately.

Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, revealed this during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, marking his first anniversary in office. "We can't have people who procure fake certificates competing with our students who graduated from our universities and polytechnics through their sweat," Mamman said.

The Federal Executive Council, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, approved the measures to tackle the menace of fake degree certificates. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Immigration will also be involved in the implementation.

According to Mamman, 21,684 students who obtained fake certificates from Benin Republic between 2019 and 2023 have been identified, while 1,105 others obtained fake certificates from Togo.

The Minister emphasized that these institutions are not recognized in their respective countries, and therefore, their certificates will not be recognized in Nigeria.

The Federal Government has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a circular to all employers to fish out anyone with a certificate from these institutions, while the Head of Service has been mandated to do the same in the public service.

"This is the decision of the federal government on this matter," Mamman concluded.