House of Reps Wants FG To Reverse Ban On Foreign Degrees From Benin, Togo

The Nigerian House of Representatives has demanded that the Federal Government reverse its policy invalidating degrees from universities in Benin Republic and Togo, citing negative impacts on students and professionals.

The resolution follows the consideration and approval of reports from the House Committee on Public Petitions, which reviewed a petition challenging the government’s decision. The ban, initially imposed in January 2024 by the Federal Ministry of Education, suspended the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from these neighboring countries pending investigations into alleged certificate racketeering and fraud.

The suspension stemmed from an undercover investigative report exposing instances where degrees were allegedly obtained in suspiciously short periods from certain institutions, prompting widespread concerns over academic integrity.

In its recommendations, the committee urged the government to lift the blanket ban, arguing that it unfairly penalizes legitimate graduates who earned their qualifications through proper channels. Instead, lawmakers proposed adopting a case-by-case verification process to target and address confirmed cases of fraud, rather than imposing a general sanction on all certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.

The House emphasized that a sweeping invalidation could disproportionately affect thousands of Nigerian students and graduates who pursued education abroad legitimately, many of whom have since integrated into the workforce or public service.

The development comes amid ongoing discussions and earlier related actions, including the House clearing institutions in Togo of broad allegations while shifting focus to specific concerns in Benin Republic. Stakeholders, including affected graduates and education coalitions, have previously appealed for a reversal, highlighting the ban’s impact on employment opportunities and social stigma.

No immediate response from the Federal Ministry of Education or the presidency was available on whether the government will act on the House’s urging. The resolution represents a significant recommendation from the lower chamber, though it remains non-binding until adopted or implemented by the executive.

This latest move reflects efforts to balance the fight against certificate forgery with fairness to genuine degree holders.

Aprokorepublic