The Federal Government of Nigeria is considering the suspension of recognition for degree certificates and academic qualifications from Kenya and Uganda, among other African nations, including Benin and Togo. The move, announced by Nigeria’s Education Minister, Tahir Mamman, follows the recent decision to cease acknowledging accreditations from Benin and Togo, citing concerns about the integrity of academic institutions.
During an interview with local media, Prof Mamman emphasized the government’s commitment to extending the suspension beyond Togo and Benin, including countries like Uganda and Kenya. He expressed particular concern about the clandestine operations of certain institutions in these nations, stating, “They don’t really have physical sites; they are just very clandestine in their operations. But we need to protect our employers and the integrity of our qualifications.”
The decision arises in the aftermath of an exposé by a local daily, in which a reporter revealed obtaining a four-year degree from a Benin university in under two months without leaving Nigeria. Prof Mamman highlighted the need to safeguard employers and the credibility of qualifications in the face of such fraudulent practices.
As part of the government’s response, investigations have been initiated into agencies responsible for accrediting academic qualifications obtained abroad. The directive to suspend recognition has broader implications for the reputation of educational standards, particularly in the eyes of global employers. This move coincides with Kenya’s aggressive efforts to court international job markets to address rising unemployment.
The potential suspension of recognition for Kenyan-issued papers adds an additional layer of scrutiny to the country’s education system. The Kenyan government’s recent efforts to attract opportunities in the global job market face challenges amid revelations about the prevalence of fake, falsified, or tampered academic certificates. In November 2022, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority director-general informed Parliament that approximately 30 percent of all academic certificates in Kenya fell into these categories.
