The Federal Government has revealed that approximately 21,600 students are parading fake certificates obtained from degree mill institutions in countries like Benin Republic and Togo. Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, disclosed this information during a press briefing, stating that 1,105 students hold fake certificates from Togo alone.
The government has set up an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee to probe the activities of certificate racketeers. The minister emphasized that fake degrees from Nigerian and foreign universities will be eliminated from the system. A circular will be issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to flush out individuals with fake certificates.
Mamman also discussed efforts to address out-of-school children, stating that about four million have been returned to school through the ministry’s agencies. The Almajiri commission has registered 20,000 students in the Federal Capital Territory to resume in the next academic session.
Additionally, the minister mentioned a committee established with UNESCO and World Bank to review teacher support, welfare, and development policies. He also pledged to collaborate with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering to check school facilities nationwide.
Key points:
- 21,600 students hold fake certificates from degree mill institutions
- 1,105 students hold fake certificates from Togo alone
- Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee set up to probe certificate racketeers
- Fake degrees to be eliminated from the system
- Efforts to address out-of-school children, with four million returned to school
- Almajiri commission registers 20,000 students in FCT
- Committee established to review teacher support and development policies
- Collaboration with COREN to check school facilities nationwide.
