An undercover reporter, Umar Audu, has called on the Nigerian government to launch a thorough investigation into all degrees obtained from institutions in Benin and Togo, following revelations of a rampant degree racketeering scandal. The expose, which saw the reporter obtain a university degree from Benin Republic in just six weeks, has raised significant concerns about the legitimacy of qualifications obtained from these institutions.

Despite the government’s acknowledgment of the alleged racketeering of degrees from Benin, there has been no official statement addressing the potential proliferation of fake degrees within the country. The extent and scope of the planned investigation, as well as the collaboration with affected universities in Benin Republic and Togo, remain undisclosed.

Professor Victor Ariole of the University of Lagos has voiced reservations about subjecting a large number of universities in the African region and their enrolled students to collective punishment. He advocates for a more targeted approach to identify the complicit institutions and individuals.

In an exclusive conversation with LEADERSHIP Sunday, Umar Audu emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive scrutiny of all degrees conferred by universities in the Benin Republic. He pointed out that while some individuals legitimately earned their certificates, a majority had obtained them through fraudulent means.

The reporter’s investigative report, titled ‘How Daily Nigerian reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks’, highlighted a pervasive syndicate selling university degrees to Nigerian buyers. Audu underscored the urgency for the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Federal Ministry of Education to evaluate and accredit these universities to root out such fraudulent practices.

Audu disclosed that prior investigations had identified over 15 universities offering these dubious degrees. He stressed that the responsibility of evaluating and accrediting universities falls on the NUC and the Federal Ministry of Education, not the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC).

Experts have echoed the need for a targeted approach, urging the government to focus on investigating the complicit universities and individuals rather than imposing blanket punitive measures affecting thousands of students.

When approached for comments, the National Universities Commission’s acting director of public affairs, Haruna Lawal Aho, indicated that the federal ministry of education had initiated an inquiry into the matter, underscoring the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The National Youth Service Corp declined to comment on specific steps to prevent the registration of individuals holding fake degrees, prompting further concerns about the efficacy of the verification process.

Amidst the unfolding scandal, the procedures for the registration of foreign and local students for the National Youth Service Corp have come under scrutiny. Foreign students seeking to participate in the scheme are required to adhere to specific registration requirements, including online registration, document uploads, and physical verification at designated NYSC camps.

The exposure of the degree racketeering scandal has sparked widespread shock and outrage, prompting calls for decisive action to address the issue. It has also shed light on the procedural intricacies and challenges involved in verifying the authenticity of foreign qualifications for participation in the National Youth Service Corp.

Streamlined Registration Process for Nigerian Local Graduates

In a bid to ensure a seamless registration and mobilization process for local graduates in Nigeria, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has outlined specific requirements for prospective corps members. This move is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and credibility of the registration process while curbing fraudulent activities.

For individuals who have lost their passports, the NYSC stipulates the need for a detailed police report, a sworn affidavit from a court of law, alongside other evidence of their stay in the country of study. Additionally, the acquisition of a new international passport is mandatory. It’s noteworthy that the personal data page of the newly obtained international passport must be uploaded for verification purposes.

When it comes to the loss of academic credentials, prospective corps members are required to provide a detailed police report, a sworn affidavit from the court of law, and confirmation of results from either the examination body or the institution of graduation, depending on the type of certificate lost. Again, the personal data page of the newly obtained international passport must be uploaded.

Furthermore, it is imperative for local graduates to have functional email addresses and Nigerian telephone numbers for registration. The use of correct matriculation numbers is also emphasized, with only those whose names appear in the Senate/Academic Board Approved Result lists submitted by their institutions having access to the register on the NYSC portal.

The NYSC has taken a firm stance against the presentation of fake documents, warning that individuals found culpable will be demobilized, decamped, and handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

Biometric verification is a critical step in the registration process, and prospective corps members are advised to remember the fingers used for their biometric capturing, as this will be used for verification at the orientation camps. Those who cannot be verified with their biometric at the orientation camp will not be registered.

For married female prospective corps members, the submission of marriage certificates, evidence of a change of name, and their husbands’ place of domicile during registration is mandatory.

It is also worth noting that the orientation camp is not conducive for pregnant and nursing mothers. Prospective corps members falling within these categories are advised that they will not be accommodated at the orientation camp.

Overall, the NYSC is committed to ensuring a credible and transparent registration process for local graduates in Nigeria, underpinned by stringent measures to uphold the integrity of the mobilization exercise.