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In a shocking development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has suspended the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the Republic of Benin and Togo. The announcement, made by the Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday, comes in the wake of an undercover investigation revealing the activities of a degree mill operating in Cotonou, Benin.

The Ministry disclosed that the decision to suspend accreditation followed an extensive probe conducted by a Nigerian online platform. The investigative reporter, posing as a prospective student, successfully obtained a degree from Cotonou University within a mere six weeks. More alarmingly, the reporter also participated in the mandatory one-year scheme organized by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), raising serious concerns about the authenticity and credibility of the degrees conferred by the institution.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) promptly released a list of foreign universities banned in Nigeria, based on data from its official website. The universities implicated in the scandal include:

  1. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
  2. Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
  3. The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centers; or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
  4. Collumbus University, UK operates anywhere in Nigeria.
  5. Tiu International University, UK operates anywhere in Nigeria.
  6. Pebbles University, UK operates anywhere in Nigeria.
  7. London External Studies UK operates anywhere in Nigeria.
  8. Pilgrims University operates anywhere in Nigeria.
  9. West African Christian University operates anywhere in Nigeria.
  10. EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.
  11. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
  12. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.
  13. Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
  14. University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
  15. Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
  16. African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
  17. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.
  18. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.
This revelation raises significant concerns about the vulnerability of the Nigerian education system to fraudulent practices and the potential impact on the careers and futures of unsuspecting students. The government's decisive action underscores the need for rigorous scrutiny and reforms within the accreditation process to ensure the integrity of academic qualifications in the country.