Nigeria to ban degrees from Uganda

Nigeria has expanded its suspension of degree accreditation, now including Kenya and Uganda, in addition to the recent suspension of degrees from institutions in Benin and Togo.

Education Minister Tahir Mamman emphasized during an interview that this initiative won’t halt with just Benin and Togo, extending to countries like Uganda, Kenya, and even Niger, targeting institutions suspected of fraudulent qualifications.

The decision comes after the exposure of fraudulent degrees from foreign diploma mills, brought to light by the Daily Nigerian newspaper. Investigative journalist Umar Audu revealed how he obtained a four-year degree from a Benin university in less than two months.

Minister Mamman firmly stated his lack of tolerance for individuals holding fake certificates from foreign nations, considering them part of a criminal network that warrants apprehension, not sympathy.

Nigeria has launched a formal investigation into the entities responsible for accrediting academic qualifications obtained abroad. Mamman emphasized the importance of this action in protecting Nigerian employers and upholding the credibility of the country’s qualifications.

The government’s swift response stems from the urgent need to tackle the proliferation of counterfeit qualifications, as exposed by the Daily Nigerian’s investigation.