There have been recent media reports claiming that the Nigerian government has banned several foreign universities, including the University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Education, Winneba (UEW) from operating in the country.
The reports reference concerns over “fake” degrees and poor education quality.
Claim
The claims assert that 18 foreign universities, including UCC and UEW, have been banned by the Nigerian government due to issues related to the authenticity of their degrees.
Source
The claims originated from media reports, including Modern Ghana and GhanaWeb, quoting the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Background
The reports state that an undercover investigation exposed concerns about a university in Benin Republic, prompting an analysis by the NUC, which released a list of 18 banned universities, including those from Ghana, the UK, the USA, and Benin.
The full list of universities blacklisted in Nigeria are as follows;
- University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
- Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
- The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
- Collumbus University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.
- Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
- Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.
- Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
- Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.
- Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.
UCC Response
UCC has issued a media release refuting the allegations. Major Kofi Baah-Bentum, Director of Public Affairs at UCC, clarified that the university does not operate in Nigeria, nor has it granted franchise to any institution in Nigeria. He expressed disappointment in the misrepresentation by certain media outlets.
Analysis
The fact check involves scrutinizing the claims made by Nigerian authorities against UCC, UEW, and VUC. The evidence includes the list of banned universities and UCC's denial of operating in Nigeria.
Conclusion
Contrary to the claims, UCC asserts that it has not been banned in Nigeria and does not operate there. The fact-check aims to provide clarity on the situation amid concerns over the credibility of foreign degrees.
Correction
While the Nigerian government lists UCC as banned, UCC strongly denies operating in Nigeria. There is a discrepancy between the Nigerian government's claims and UCC's position, raising questions about the accuracy of the information and the true identity of the supposed Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
While the list includes Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria, The Ghanaian university is called University of Cape Coast, not Cape Coast University. And as the statement from the university states, they do not operate in Nigeria.
