The Federal Government administration commenced the investigation of private universities established in the last decade through a filtered memorandum from the public.
According to a report by Umar Aud ave Daily Nigeria journalist, a few months ago after uncovering the level of result racketeering in the West African state of Togo and Benin Republic, an action that poked the Federal Government for probing private institutions.
In research carried out by firms, 107 private universities were established in the last 15 years.
The Federal Government reassured the public of its commitment to tackling every sector of this State in a report from the intern- Sministerial investigation committee set up on degree certificates Milling assured Nigerians overdue investigation “whether or not private universities established in the last 15 years have in the place prescribed facilities, appropriate management Wstructure, adequate funding of programs, requisite state, and nature of the staff – full-time, contract, adjunct, visiting and other types.”
In a published advertorial on prominent dailies in the country on 12th March 2024, the committee claimed the probe was “without prejudice to the periodic, accreditation exercise of the National Universities Commission.”
“Memoranda from the general public are, therefore, solicited to provide information to the committee to help it make appropriate recommendations to address the menace in line with its terms of reference,” the committee said.
Recall that Umar Audu narrated how he obtained a degree within six weeks from the Benin Republic and even proceeded to embark on the mandatory youth service under the National Youth Service Corps scheme in the country.
Shortly after the alarm by the Daily Nigeria journalist, the Federal Government under the guise of Bola Ahamed Tinubu on the 9th of January 2024 launched an investigation into a private institution established in the last 15 years.
Meanwhile, Prof. Tahir Mamman while inaugurating the committee in Abuja in January the Minister of Education emphasis on the federal Government prob on private universities.
The Jibrila Amin-led committee clouds the sharp step taken by the federal government in addressing the issue adding that the committee would “Review the role of any MDA or its officials (including identifying such officials) in the facilitation of the recognition and procurement of the fake certificate in question.”
He also added that the committee will ”examine the rules, procedures, and processes for recognition and accreditation of foreign universities and programs by the Federal Ministry of Education; Establish if unapproved, foreign institutions (Degree Mills) exist or not in Nigeria in whatever allowed their identities and locations if any.”
It is expected to “make appropriate recommendations for review of any rules, procedures, and processes to prevent re-occurrence and sanctions for identified erring officials.
“Make other recommendations that will strengthen the system of recognition, accreditations, and quality assurance of degrees in Nigeria and examine the extant rules, procedures, and processes for granting provisional licenses to new universities by the National Universities Commission.”
