Nigerian Students in Benin Face Uncertainty as Certificate Evaluation Is Suspended

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Benin Republic, Ugochukwu Favour, has raised concerns over the Nigerian government’s decision to suspend the evaluation and accreditation of certificates from universities in Benin and Togo Republics. This move has the potential to disrupt the educational pursuits of approximately 15,000 Nigerian students currently studying in Benin.

In a plea directed at the Nigerian government, Mr Favour emphasized the need to consider the plight of genuine students in Benin Republic. His appeal, made during a guest appearance on the Sunrise Daily show on Channels Television, highlighted the far-reaching impact of the suspension on the affected students. Although he did not provide a specific source for the figure of 15,000, the scale of the potential repercussions remains evident.

Mr Favour adamantly stressed that penalizing all students studying in Benin Republic for the actions of a single institution would be unjust. He reassured that NANS in Benin Republic has initiated an internal investigation, aiming to hold those involved in the scandal accountable. Additionally, he acknowledged the recent emergence of the issue through social media and the ongoing efforts to ascertain the duration of its occurrence.

The response from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) further underscored the gravity of the situation. Eddy Megwa, the Director of Press for NYSC, emphasized the need for stringent measures to verify the authenticity of graduates from international institutions, particularly in Cameroon, Togo, and other countries. Megwa revealed that the incorporation of Nigeria’s National Identity Number (NIN) in the registration process and collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service are among the initiatives aimed at enhancing scrutiny and deterring fraudulent practices.

Notably, Megwa clarified that while NYSC actively implements measures to combat fraudulent certificates, the organization is not mandated to independently verify the authenticity of graduates from higher institutions. This responsibility lies with the accredited universities and relevant regulatory bodies. His remarks shed light on the challenges posed by inadequately prepared graduates and the imperative for educational institutions to intervene in addressing such issues.

Addressing the matter, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, affirmed the government’s commitment to reviewing the operations of ministries and agencies responsible for recognizing accredited degrees from foreign countries. He emphasized the implementation of robust internal control mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability. Furthermore, Minister Mamman asserted that the scope of the review extends beyond Benin and Togo Republics to encompass various other countries across West and Central Africa.

As uncertainty looms over the fate of Nigerian students in Benin, the collective efforts of NANS, NYSC, and governmental authorities are vital in safeguarding the integrity of academic credentials and upholding the educational aspirations of students abroad. The resolution of this issue holds significant implications for the educational landscape and the future prospects of Nigerian students pursuing their studies in neighboring countries.

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