The Federal Government has confirmed that it is investigating 3,000 alleged ‘fake’ graduates recently uncovered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
The Minister of State for Education, Tanko Sununu, announced this yesterday, promising that those found guilty would be prosecuted for forgery.
“Investigation is ongoing and those identified will be prosecuted accordingly,” Sununu stated.
Sununu explained that the ‘fake’ graduates were part-time students who illegally gained entry into regular programs to participate in the National Youth Service Corps.
He emphasized, “The 3,000 are part-time candidates that forged their admission to be regular students just for them to participate in the national service. The basis of it is a forgery and it is a punishable offense. The ministry will ensure that all due processes are followed to prosecute all those that are involved.”
Sununu also mentioned that a panel had investigated allegations of degree racketeering in foreign and private universities. The report from this panel is ready and will soon be presented to the Federal Executive Council. He said, “The report of the committee has been submitted and there are a lot of recommendations that require the approval of the Federal Executive Council. Very soon, the report will be presented to the FEC for a decision.”
He highlighted that many fake degrees come from institutions in the Benin Republic and Togo, which are not recognized by Nigerian law. “I assure you that something will be done because the only way we can secure our education is to ensure that people genuinely obtain their certificates in recognized institutions; whether locally or internationally. Otherwise, it will portend serious danger to Nigeria. Those who obtain certificates through the back door lack skills and appropriate knowledge and cannot add any value to the economic development of any nation. We cannot allow it. It can be a source of damage to any nation,” Sununu added.
JAMB Registrar Is-haq Oloyede confirmed that the board is still investigating some of the ‘fake’ graduates. “Some of them are being investigated. Any elaborate discussion by me on this will compromise what we are doing,” he said.
Oloyede had earlier stated at a meeting with the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria that those involved in the act never set foot in a classroom. He condemned illegal admissions by some tertiary institutions in the country, calling it a source of embarrassment.
