Investigate All Degrees From Benin, Undercover Reporter Tells FG

Umar Audu, an investigative journalist, who managed to obtain a university degree from Benin Republic within a remarkably short period of six weeks, is urging the federal government to thoroughly examine all degrees granted to Nigerians by institutions in Benin and Togo.

While the government is currently looking into the reported fraudulent issuance of degrees from Benin, no official statement has been made regarding the potential existence of numerous counterfeit degrees already circulating within the country.

The government has not yet provided official details on the scope of its planned investigation or how it intends to collaborate with affected universities in Benin Republic and Togo regarding the recently exposed racketeering scandal by an undercover reporter from the Daily Nigerian Newspaper.

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Despite obtaining a degree in just six weeks, the journalist managed to register for the National Youth Service Corp.

Professor Victor Ariole from the University of Lagos questions the collective punishment of numerous universities and their enrolled students in the African region, suggesting that the government should pinpoint the culpable universities and individuals. Umar Audu, the undercover journalist, emphasizes the importance of the government conducting comprehensive investigations into all degrees conferred in Benin Republic.

Audu said some people earned their certificates legitimately, but most of them were obtained in a fraudulent manner.

It would be recalled that Audu, in an investigative report titled, ‘How Daily Nigerian reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks’, exposed a booming certificate racketeering syndicate in Benin Republic and Togo, that specialises in selling university degrees to willing buyers from Nigeria

Speaking to newsmen on what led him to go undercover, Audu said the issue of certificate racketeering is widespread in the Benin as many universities are offering fake degrees.

He also said that it is the responsibility of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Federal Ministry of Education to evaluate and accredit these universities to eradicate the fraud.

“There is a need to investigate all degrees from the Benin Republic, but this doesn’t mean they are all not legitimate graduates. Some people earned their certificates legitimately, but most of them were obtained in a fraudulent manner.

“The issue is widespread; in our previous investigation, we identified over 15 universities that offer these kinds of degrees.

“It’s not the responsibility of the NYSC to evaluate and accredited universities. That responsibility lies in the hands of the NUC and Federal Ministry of Education.”

Speaking further, Audu said he had prior knowledge of degrees being bought in Cotonou before embarking on the investigative journey.

According to him “Daily Nigerian did an investigation on how Nigerians smuggle ‘tokumbo’ degrees from Cotonou in February 2018. So, this was like a follow-up,” he said.

Meanwhile, some experts have urged the government to investigate erring universities and punish specific individuals instead of generalising.