Education Minister’s Claims About Benin and Togo University Certificates Disputed by Scholar
The Nigerian Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, recently declared that degrees obtained from universities in the Republic of Benin and Togo would be considered invalid in Nigeria.
This statement has sparked widespread concern among students, parents, and educational institutions.
However, stakeholders have strongly criticized the minister’s claim, dismissing it as false and misleading. Gabriel Kona, an education consultant and president of Nigerian Lecturers in Benin, issued a statement on behalf of these stakeholders.
The statement emphasized that the minister’s declaration does not accurately represent the credibility of universities in Benin and Togo or the legitimacy of the certificates they issue.
The controversy began after a Nigerian investigative journalist uncovered a network involved in the illegal sale of certificates from ESGT University in Benin.
This discovery prompted the Nigerian government to launch a broader investigation into the authenticity of degrees from these neighboring countries.
Subsequently, Prof. Mamman stated that only five universities in Benin and three in Togo were accredited to award degrees, rendering all other degrees from these countries invalid.
This announcement caused alarm among past and current students, potentially jeopardizing their academic and career aspirations.
Contrary to the minister’s claims, a thorough investigation by stakeholders, including direct contact with the education ministries in Benin and Togo, revealed that the minister’s statement was inaccurate.
The Ministry of Higher Education in the Republic of Benin has published a list of 95 accredited institutions authorized to confer Bachelor’s degrees. This list, which includes a diverse range of public and private universities, is available online and widely recognized by the Beninese government.
The claim that only five universities in Benin are accredited was thus deemed incorrect.
Similarly, the Republic of Togo has a number of accredited universities, countering the minister’s assertion that only three are recognized.
This misinformation has led to unnecessary panic among students and parents, many of whom have made significant investments in education abroad.
Mr. Kona further clarified that in the Republic of Benin, all private universities, referred to as “EPES” (École Privée d’Enseignement Supérieur), are authorized to offer Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs.
These accredited institutions are listed annually in an official handbook, “Guide d’Orientation” (Orientation Guide), which is also shared with the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education to ensure students can verify the accreditation status of their chosen schools.