The Federal Government of Nigeria has banned 18 foreign universities operating in the country, labeling them as “degree mills” and cautioning Nigerians against enrolling in such institutions.
The ban includes five universities from the United States, six from the United Kingdom, and three Ghanaian tertiary institutions.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) stated that these universities had not been licensed by the Federal Government and had been shut down for violating the Education (National Minimum Standards, etc.) Act of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Education announced the temporary suspension of the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the Republic of Benin and Togo.
This decision followed an undercover investigative report exposing fraudulent practices in the issuance of degrees from a Beninese university.
Related News: Japa: CDS Urges Nigerians to Unite and Confront Challenges for National Progress
The Ministry of Education expressed concern about certificate racketeering and announced the suspension pending an investigation involving the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education, the two countries, the Department of State Security Services, and the National Youth Service Corps.
The suspension aims to address the challenges posed by institutions operating outside regulatory control and to prevent further occurrences of fake degrees and certificate racketeering.
The Federal Ministry of Education emphasized the need for support from the public, understanding, and useful information to assist in investigating and finding lasting solutions.
In response to the ban, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider the suspension of accreditation for degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.
NANS emphasized the impact on legitimate students who have invested time and resources in their education in the affected countries and called for a reassessment to distinguish between fraudulent activities and genuine educational pursuits.
The ban reflects ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government to address issues related to fake degrees, certificate fraud, and the quality of education provided by foreign institutions operating in the country.
You can also read: FG Grants Universities and Colleges Exemption from IPPIS