Nigerian Government Dismisses Civil Servants Over Degrees from Private Universities in Benin Republic and Togo

 

The Nigerian Federal Government has dismissed several civil servants who obtained their degrees from private universities in Benin Republic and Togo. The action affects workers who graduated from these institutions between 2017 and the present.

Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), confirmed the development on December 4, 2024.

Earlier this year, a Nigerian journalist exposed how he acquired a degree in just two months from a university in Benin Republic, which he then used to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. Following this revelation, the Nigerian government banned the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from tertiary institutions in these two neighboring countries.

In August, the Federal Government announced that only eight universities in Togo and Benin Republic were accredited to award degrees to Nigerians. Additionally, a committee was established to investigate certificate fraud, particularly focusing on the activities of degree mills in both countries. According to the Minister of Education at the time, Tahir Mamman, over 22,500 Nigerians had obtained fake degree certificates from these institutions, and the government was set to cancel these credentials.

The Office of the SGF has instructed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to identify and terminate the employment of any staff members who obtained their degrees from these unaccredited institutions. Although the exact number of affected civil servants remains unclear, sources confirmed that the decision was made based on the committee’s recommendations.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has already implemented the directive, with five staff members confirmed to have been dismissed. Caroline Embu, the NYSC Director of Information, confirmed the sackings, stating, "Five members of staff were affected by the directive contained in the letter from the office of the SGF."

The Federal Government's move is part of a broader effort to combat degree fraud and uphold the integrity of academic qualifications in Nigeria. The investigative committee’s work continues, and additional measures may be taken as the government further addresses the issue of fake degrees.