Cotonou Degrees: ICPC Probes Academic Qualifications from Foreign Institutions

•Adamu meets undercover reporter

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) said yesterday that it had launched a probe into academic qualifications obtained from foreign institutions by Nigerians.

It said the commission will engage in a collaboration with relevant domestic and international bodies to jointly evaluate the legitimacy of academic qualifications procured from overseas institutions, especially those highlighted in the investigative report.

In furtherance of the probe, the Chairman of the Commission, Musa Adamu, has met with the reporter that uncovered the fraudulent award of degrees in Benin Republic.

A statement by the commission said the meeting was convened to verify details of the finding and move beyond speculation.

It said the duo discussed the publication’s December 30 report on alleged corrupt practices in rapid degree issuance at a Cotonou university, aiming to deepen the investigation and initiate relevant actions.

“The investigation into Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT) in Cotonou reveals a concerning situation where degrees are allegedly awarded in as little as six weeks, bypassing standard academic procedures like application, registration, coursework, and examinations.

“In response to these critical allegations, the ICPC is embarking on a thorough investigation. This probe will rigorously examine the networks and individuals engaged in these malpractices, with the objective of restoring and preserving the integrity of our educational system,”  the ICPC said.

It said the commission will engage in a collaboration with relevant domestic and international bodies to jointly evaluate the legitimacy of academic qualifications procured from overseas institutions, especially those highlighted in the investigative report.

 “The ICPC calls upon all stakeholders in the educational and governmental sectors to join hands in this critical endeavour.

“Together, we can work towards a future where the credibility of our educational qualifications is unimpeachable, and where corruption finds no refuge,” the anti-graft agency added.

Following the development, the federal government had announced the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics.

In a statement on Tuesday signed by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, the government lamented that “some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a Degree with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified”.

According to the government, the suspension persists pending the outcome of an investigation involving the ministries of foreign affairs and education of Nigeria and the two countries as well the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).

It said the education ministry has set up a panel to “commenced internal administrative processes to determine the culpability or otherwise of her staff for which applicable public service rules would be applied”.