22,000 Nigerians Stranded as Degrees from Togo, Benin Invalidated

The recent decision by the Nigerian government to invalidate degree certificates from certain universities in Togo and Benin Republic has left over 22,000 Nigerian graduates in a state of uncertainty. This policy, which targets certificates obtained from 2017 onwards, has sparked widespread concern among affected graduates and educational stakeholders.

The Coalition of Stakeholders in Education (CSE) voiced their dismay over the decision during a press briefing in Ikeja, Lagos. The group called on the federal government to reconsider the blanket invalidation of degrees, arguing that it unfairly punishes legitimate graduates along with those from unaccredited institutions.

CSE leaders, including Dr. Shittu Sanny, Gabriel Kona, Abiola Daramola, and Hodonou Nohunun, criticized the government’s approach, which they believe should focus on sanctioning only those involved with degree mills. “There are more than five universities accredited in Benin Republic and more than three in Togo,” they noted, pointing out that the government’s recognition of only a few public universities while ignoring private institutions is problematic.

“The minister’s pronouncement to invalidate these certificates to take effect in retrospect is unjustifiable,” the group stated. They questioned the inconsistency, highlighting that many Nigerian students had previously received approval from the Ministry of Education before enrolling in these institutions. “Is it that the ministry has been misleading Nigerians all these years?” they asked.

Sanny mentioned a meeting with the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sunnunu, where assurances were given that students from accredited institutions had nothing to worry about. This abrupt policy shift, therefore, has left many bewildered.

A former leader of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in the Diaspora, Silas Jime, condemned the policy as ill-conceived, questioning the sudden devaluation of degrees that had been previously recognized by both the Ministry of Education and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). “How can you now just wake up and say those certificates are worthless?” Jime asked.

The affected students and stakeholders are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, urging the government to thoroughly review the situation rather than imposing a blanket ban that could jeopardize the future of thousands of Nigerian graduates.