In a move to safeguard the safety of investigative journalists, the House of Representatives has approved a 10-year security protection for Umar Audu, a reporter with DAILY NIGERIAN. This decision comes after Audu’s daring exposé revealed a widespread certificate racketeering scam involving degree mills in the Benin Republic. The undercover investigation uncovered a syndicate that sells unearned university certificates to Nigerians, which are then fraudulently cleared by government agencies, including the Ministry of Education.
The joint House Committees on University, Polytechnic, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Youth Development are currently investigating the scandal. During a recent sitting, Abubakar Fulata, Chairman of the Committee, announced the House’s directive, calling on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure Audu’s safety for the next decade. “We are grateful to Audu for his courage,” Fulata said, urging the Minister of Interior to provide the required support alongside the police.
Audu’s testimony before the committee revealed how he acquired a Benin Republic university degree without attending classes, which was then cleared by the Ministry of Education for a fee of N40,000. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, responded to the revelations by advocating for a centralized educational verification system to eliminate such fraud. “A unified, automated portal is essential to curb this menace,” he noted, apologizing to Nigerians for the lapses.
The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, confirmed that the department responsible for clearing Audu’s certificate had been overhauled, with stronger measures being implemented to prevent future breaches. The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, also revealed that the corps had begun using biometric verification to validate certificates submitted by prospective corps members. “Our verification system is now stronger, and we have initiated reforms to prevent any recurrence,” Nafiu assured.
The House committee has reaffirmed its commitment to concluding a thorough investigation and enforcing reforms to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s education and public service systems. This move is a significant step towards protecting journalists who risk their lives to expose corruption and fraud, and ensuring that the country’s education system is free from such scams. With the investigation ongoing, Nigerians can expect a more robust and transparent education system in the future.
