Education Stakeholders Demand Reversal of Nigerian Ban on Benin, Togo Varsities’ Certificates

Funmi Ogundare

The Coalition of Stakeholders in Education (CSE), yesterday, appealed to the Nigerian government and the Federal Ministry of Education to reverse their recent decision to ban degree certificates from institutions in Benin Republic and Togo.

The group, comprising lecturers, parents, and students from these countries, argued that hardworking students who earned their degrees through legitimate means should not be penalized for the misconduct of a few.

Briefing journalists in Lagos, Gabriel Kona, President of the Nigerian Lecturers in Benin, expressed concern over inconsistencies in the Minister of Education’s statements.

He pointed out that contrary to the minister’s claim, Benin Republic has eight public universities and 95 private universities accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, while Togo has more than three accredited universities.

This contradicts the Minister’s assertion that only three institutions in Togo and five in Benin are recognized, he observed.

Kona also explained that the three-year degree programs offered in Benin Republic and Togo are equivalent to the four-year bachelor programs in Nigeria, thanks to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which is used across Europe and applicable in Africa.

He added that Benin’s educational policy allows instruction in English, making the language of instruction a non-issue.

He further criticised the minister’s decision to retroactively invalidate these certificates, calling it unjust.

Kona queried: “Has the FME been misleading Nigerian students all these years? What happens to the money students paid for certificate evaluations? Why did the FME provide evaluations for these graduates over the past seven years?”

The president emphasised that addressing the ongoing crises in Africa’s educational system requires a comprehensive approach rather than retroactive measures. He urged the Nigerian government, as a leading nation in sub-Saharan Africa, to play a pivotal role in revolutionising education in the region.

He also called for collaboration between Nigeria, Benin, and Togo to address the issues collectively, noting that Nigerian students and their families are already distressed and confused by the situation.

“Studying abroad was never a crime until now. We need all parents, guardians, and concerned Nigerians, both at home and abroad, to appeal to our policymakers to find a more effective solution to the longstanding problems in the education sector,” Kona added.

Dr. Shittu Sanny, Director of IUB University in Benin Republic, also weighed in, noting that students from other African countries studying in Benin have had their degrees recognised after proper evaluation.

He urged the federal government to focus on identifying and penalising specific institutions involved in certificate racketeering rather than punishing all students and graduates.