Benin & Togo saga: 10 things that can make FG suspend academic degree of a country, other details

The Nigerian government has halted the assessment and endorsement of degree certificates from universities in Benin and Togo, as revealed by the Federal Ministry of Education. The decision, announced by Augustina Obilor-Duru, follows an undercover investigation by Daily Nigerian uncovering certificate racketeering in a Benin-based university.

However, the report indicates suspicions of Nigerians resorting to illicit means for acquiring degrees, aiming to secure job opportunities beyond their qualifications. The ministry has therefore suspended the accreditation pending an investigation involving Nigeria’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education, as well as collaboration with Benin and Togo, the State Security Service (SSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC). 

The undercover report, where a Daily Nigerian reporter obtained a Mass Communication degree in six weeks without attending classes or exams from ESGT, a Benin university, further highlights the need for robust measures to prevent exploitation of educational systems. The ministry emphasizes its commitment to reviewing strategies and taking decisive actions against any complicit officials to safeguard the integrity of education in Nigeria.

10 things that can make FG suspend academic degree of a country, other details

1. Non-compliance with government regulations, accreditation standards, or licensing requirements might trigger suspension as a consequence of disregard for established educational norms.

2. Misrepresentation and deceptive practices, intentionally misleading students about program offerings or job placement statistics, could be grounds for the suspension of degree-awarding authority.

3. Financial mismanagement and insolvency may lead to the suspension of degree-granting authority if there is no clear path to recovery, impacting the institution’s ability to provide quality education.

4. Institutions consistently falling below accepted benchmarks for coursework, faculty qualifications, or student outcomes might face suspension due to a failure to meet minimum academic standards.

5. Safety and security concerns, including unaddressed incidents of violence, harassment, or discrimination on campus, could result in the federal government suspending degree-awarding powers.

6. Widespread and systematic academic fraud, such as mass cheating or plagiarism, could prompt the federal government to suspend academic degrees to maintain educational integrity.

7. Engaging in exploitative and predatory practices, such as predatory recruitment tactics or providing fraudulent financial aid options, may lead to the suspension of academic degrees.

8. Actively promoting harmful ideologies, hate speech, or violent extremism could result in the suspension of degree-awarding powers due to the potential negative impact on societal well-being.

9. Interference with academic freedom, such as censorship, suppression of dissent, or undue restrictions on research freedom, may lead to the federal government suspending academic degrees.

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10. Foreign influence and national security concerns, if an institution is found to be compromised or under undue influence, could prompt the suspension of its degree-awarding powers to safeguard national interests.