Revisit govt’s decision on Togo, Cotonou degree certificates

Sir: The issuance of fake certificates, both within Nigeria and abroad, is not a new phenomenon, with many institutions globally facing accusations of awarding certificates to undeserving candidates. Therefore, the case of Cotonou should not be singled out or become a focal point of public discussion.

While many institutions accused of such scandals in Nigeria vehemently deny the claims to protect their prestige, instances of fake certificate awards are prevalent. The consequences of fake certificates awarded by Nigerian institutions are evident across various sectors, including the military, medical profession, education, agriculture, engineering, commerce, and politics.

The detrimental impact is reflected in Nigeria’s current challenges, such as a compromised democratic atmosphere, a corrupt educational system, the presence of unqualified medical personnel, an unorganized defence system, and widespread insecurity.

The proliferation of WAEC, NECO, and JAMB miracle centres in Nigeria’s corrupt educational system contributes to the emergence of fake police and military officers, incompetent leaders, and escalating security challenges.

Banning Cotonou and Togo degree certificates might not be the optimal solution, considering that Nigerian institutions need to be held accountable. Fake certificate issues extend beyond international borders, with corruption being a pervasive challenge in Africa. Eliminating corruption is a formidable task, and scrutiny is warranted not only for the exposed journalist but also for individuals who acquire certificates through illegal means in Nigeria.

It is imperative for authorities to investigate how the journalist obtained his certificates in just six weeks and to allow the implicated institutions to present their case. Acknowledging the evident disparities among the three countries, Benin Republic and Togo, have three three-year first-degree systems, unlike Nigeria which has a maximum of 4-5 years.

Globally, the minimum years of acquiring a degree certificate is three years. Also, In Cotonou and Togo, this standard isn’t compromised. Meanwhile, not everyone schooling or graduated from the suspended institutions bought certificates, and not every school in Togo or Benin Republic was involved in buying, selling or awarding fake certificates.

Therefore, there is a need for the federal government of Nigeria to reverse its decision to suspend the degree programmes in Togo and Cotonou, and or arrest the journalists and the management of EGST University involved in such ungodly acts to face the wrath of the law. The allegation of buying, selling and awarding of fake certificates is not only peculiar to the Benin Republic and Togo but it has also been alleged here in Nigeria.

In recent years, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Lagos State University, Imo State University, and the University of Jos were accused of selling and awarding fake certificates to undeserving candidates. The point here is, why did the federal government of Nigeria fail to sanction or suspend those institutions if it wanted to curb corruption in its educational system? Therefore, addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach and a fair examination not just suspending innocent institutions maintaining the global standard in awarding degree certificates.

To this end, the Students Union Government of the Institute Superirieur de Formation Professionelle hereby draws the attention of the federal government of Nigeria to reverse its decision to suspend Togo and Cotonou degree programmes. On the other hand, calling on the government to conduct a thorough investigation of whether the said journalist follows a legal process in obtaining his degree from the accused institution.
• Adamade Petter Adamade, National President of ISFOP University’s Alumni wrote from Abuja.