FG Declares Cotonou University Degrees From 2017 Invalid

The Federal Government has reportedly announced that all degree certificates issued by Cotonou University from 2017 onwards are now invalid.

This decision, which takes immediate effect, was revealed during a press conference in Abuja on Friday by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman.

Speaking at the event marking his first year in office, Mamman disclosed that the invalidation of these degrees was approved during a recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

The decision comes in response to growing concerns about Nigerian students obtaining degrees from unrecognized institutions in neighboring countries or, in some cases, acquiring fake certificates without attending any classes.

According to the Minister, a committee was established to investigate reports of students procuring degrees from institutions in the Republics of Benin and Togo, often without any formal education. The committee’s findings were subsequently reviewed and presented to the FEC, leading to the implementation of several recommendations.

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One of the key measures approved by the FEC includes the immediate termination of any Federal Government employees found to have obtained counterfeit degrees from institutions in Benin and Togo.

Mamman emphasized that the invalidation of these degrees is intended to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s educational standards and to prevent the spread of fraudulent academic credentials.

Relevant ministries and agencies, including the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Nigeria Immigration Service, have been directed to enforce these measures rigorously.

In his words, “A committee was established to investigate the issue after reports emerged about students procuring degrees from institutions in neighboring countries, some without even attending the schools.

“The committee’s findings were reviewed and presented to the FEC, which approved several recommendations for implementation across relevant ministries and agencies, including the NYSC and Immigration.”