The federal government through the Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday, January 3, announced the suspension of accreditation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.
It followed an investigative report by Daily Nigerian Newspaper titled “How Daily Nigerian reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in six weeks.”
According to the government, the suspension persists pending the outcome of an investigation involving the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education of Nigeria and the two countries as well as the Department of State Security Services and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).
Posing as a student, a Daily Nigerian reporter obtained a degree certificate in Mass Communication from ESGT, a Benin university in Cotonou, established in 2009.
The reporter obtained the degree in six weeks without attending any classes or writing an examination.
He also applied for and was registered to participate in the one-year mandatory NYSC scheme with the certificate despite undergoing the NYSC some years ago.
Checks by The Nation revealed that about 46 universities across Benin Republic and Togo has been affected by Nigeria’s decision.
Foreign degree certificates have to be vetted by regulators in Nigeria before the graduates involved can proceed with the compulsory NYSC scheme, an important prerequisite for corporate employment.
Below are some of the Beninese and Togolese universities affected by the suspension
BENIN REPUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
Institut Supérieur de Formation Professionnelle (ISFOP)
Lakeside University College (LUC) Benin
African University of Bénin
Afriford University, Cotonou, Benin Republic
Canadian International Education Institute, Benin Republic
Centre International Universitaire Des Meilleurs (CIUM-Bestower International University) Seme-Podji, Cotonou
Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologie (ESGT-Benin University)
Ecole Superieure de Technologie et de Gestion (ESTG-Benin University)
Ecole Superieure des Cadres et Techniciens, (ESCT-Benin), Benin Cotonou
Ecole Superieure des sciences, de commerce et administration des enterprise du Benin (ESCAE-BENIN)
Ecole Superieure Panafricaine de Management Applique (ESPAM-FORMATION)
Ecotes University
Edexcel University
Esep le berger Université
ESTAM University Seme Campus
Heim Weldios University
Houdegbe North American University, Benin
Institut Universitaire du Bénin (IUB)
Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Gestion(ISCG-Benin University)
Institut Supérieur De Management Et De Technologie (ISMT St Salomon University)
Institute Regional Superieure des beaux arts, de la culture et de la communication (IRSBACCOM UNIVERSITY)
Pinnacle African University Porto Novo
Poma University, Ayetedjou, Ifangni
Protestant University of West Africa
Université Africaine de Développement Coopératif
Université des Sciences Appliquées et Management USAM
Université la Hegj, Benin (Semepodji campus)
Universitie Polytechnique Internationale du Benin
West African University Benin (WAUB), Cotonou
University of Abomey-Calavi
University of Kétou
University of Parakou
TOGO UNIVERSITIES
Atlantic African Oriental Multicultural (ATAFOM) University International
African Union University, Togo
African University of Science Administration and Commercial Studies, IAEC University Togo
Maryam Abacha American University Niger, Togo Campus
Centre de perfectionnement aux Technique Economique et Commerciales Université (CPTEC University) Avepozo Lome
IHERIS University, Togo
Catholic University of West Africa
American Institute of African
Ecole supérieure de formation professionnelle (FIMAC)
Université Bilingue Libre du Togo
University of Kara
University of Richard of Togo
University of Lomé
University of Science and Technology of Togo
DEFOP University of Technology
IRFODEL-Centre (University).