The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Benin Republic has urged the Federal Government to show leniency in the aftermath of the ban on the validation of degree certificates from the country and Togo.
The association expressed concern that approximately 15,000 Nigerian students in Benin could be adversely affected by the ban.
The call for leniency comes in response to a revelation by a reporter who detailed obtaining a degree in under two months from a university in Benin Republic and subsequently enrolling in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the second time.
The Federal Government swiftly imposed a ban on the validation of degree certificates from both countries following the disclosure.
NANS President of Benin Republic, Ugochukwu Favour, stated on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily that the government should consider the legitimately admitted students in its response to the incident. He emphasized that punishing all students for the actions of a few would be unfair.
Favour acknowledged the need for the government to investigate the matter thoroughly and take action against those involved.
He revealed that NANS in Benin Republic has formed a committee to probe the issue, expressing confidence that the findings would be instrumental in preventing future occurrences.
In response to the controversy, the Federal Government, represented by Education Minister Tahir Mamman, declared its intent to pursue individuals with fake degree certificates.
The minister emphasized a lack of sympathy for such individuals, referring to them as part of a criminal chain that should be apprehended.
Mamman outlined the government’s approach, stating that if institutions or operators have been operating fraudulently over the years, security agencies would trace them and treat them as criminals.
The ban on the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo is expected to extend to other African countries, including Uganda, Kenya, and Niger Republic, where similar institutions have been identified.
The unfolding situation underscores the need for heightened scrutiny and vigilance in the validation processes for foreign degree certificates to maintain the integrity of academic qualifications and prevent fraudulent practices.
