In a move aimed at purifying the educational landscape, the Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a ban on 18 foreign universities operating within its borders, terming them “degree mills.” The affected institutions include five from the United States, six from the United Kingdom, and three from Ghana.
In a press release, the National Universities Commission (NUC) emphasized that these universities lacked Federal Government licensing and have been shut down for violating education standards.
“The National Universities Commission wishes to announce to the general public, especially parents and prospective undergraduates that the under-listed “degree mills” have not been licensed by the Federal Government and have therefore been closed down for violating the Education (National Minimum Standards, etc.) Act of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
The list of banned institutions comprises the University of Applied Sciences & Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin; Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana; International University, Missouri, USA; Collumbus University, United Kingdom; Tiu International University, UK; Pebbles University, UK; London External Studies UK; Pilgrims University; West African Christian University; EC-Council University, USA; Concept College/Universities (London); Houdegbe North American University; Irish University Business School London; University of Education, Winneba Ghana; Cape Coast University, Ghana; African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic; Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado; and Evangel University of America & Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.
Simultaneously, 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 follows an investigative report exposing a certificate racketeering scandal, where a Daily Nigerian reporter obtained a degree within six weeks from a Beninese university.
The Federal Ministry of Education, in a statement, expressed disdain for such acts and announced the suspension as an interim measure. The suspension will endure pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation involving Nigeria’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education, both countries, the Department of State Security Services, and the National Youth Service Corps.
The statement urged the public to support the ministry’s efforts, provide useful information, and show understanding during this investigation. It also emphasized that internal administrative processes were initiated to determine the involvement of ministry staff, and appropriate Public Service Rules would be applied.
Related: We Must Not Always Blame Lecturers Involved In Sex For Marks – Nollywood Filmmaker
Addressing the broader issue, the ministry acknowledged the global challenge of institutions operating clandestinely outside regulatory control. The statement highlighted periodic warnings issued by the ministry and NUC against such institutions, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to reviewing strategies and plugging loopholes in processes and procedures.
This crackdown follows previous revelations of Nigerians obtaining fake degrees, both within and outside the country. In response, stakeholders, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities, advocate for the establishment of a board to accredit foreign degrees in Nigeria, addressing the root causes of the proliferation of fake degrees.