The Nigerian Federal Government has approved a policy to fire workers with fake degrees from Benin and Togo institutions. Education Minister Tahir Mamman announced the decision, revealing that thousands of counterfeit certificates have been identified. Employers are now required to dismiss those with invalid degrees.
The Nigerian Federal Government has endorsed a policy to terminate employees in both public and private sectors who hold fraudulent degrees from institutions in Benin Republic and Togo. This move follows an investigation revealing that a substantial number of Nigerians possess fake certificates obtained from these countries.
Education Minister Tahir Mamman announced the decision during a press briefing in Abuja, marking his first year in office. According to Mamman, around 21,684 individuals have been identified with fake degrees from Benin Republic, while 1,105 are linked to Togo. These degrees were issued by institutions that are not officially recognized in their respective countries, with only a few universities in each nation having legitimate accreditation.
The Federal Government's new policy requires the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to issue a circular directing employers to identify and dismiss those with these fake degrees. Additionally, the Head of Service has been tasked with removing such individuals from the public sector.
The policy emerged from recommendations approved by the Federal Executive Council, following an investigative report by Daily Nigerian in December 2023.
