The recent investigation conducted by Daily Nigerian has unearthed a disconcerting trend in the acquisition of questionable degree certificates from universities in Benin Republic and Togo, shedding light on the ease with which such certificates can be obtained.
The report1 details a case where a Nigerian journalist successfully purchased a degree in Mass Communication from a university in Cotonou, Benin Republic, in just under two months.
Cotonou, known for its thriving second-hand car business, has also become a hub for those seeking express degrees, offering an unsettling glimpse into the world of degree racketeering.
The investigative report highlights that individuals seeking these dubious degrees typically need O-level certificates – whether fake or genuine – and a varying amount of money, depending on the course, urgency, and class of degree.
Daily Nigerian's undercover reporter approached a racketeering syndicate in December 2022, expressing the desire to obtain a Mass Communication degree in a month. The agent assured the reporter that, with the payment, results would be ready the following month. On December 27, 2022, the reporter made the payment, receiving a payment receipt.
The certificate and transcript from Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies, ESGT2, Cotonou, Benin Republic, were delivered to the reporter's office on February 17, 2023.
The investigative report details the entire process, including the lack of an admission letter or prior knowledge of the school. The reporter completed a four-year degree program miraculously in less than two months without any formal application, registration, studying, exams, or crossing the Nigerian border.
Upon receiving the documents, the reporter discovered a scan code on the transcript that led to the website of ESGT University, confirming the authenticity of the degree. However, concerns are raised about the ease with which individuals can obtain degrees through fraudulent means and the potential consequences for those with legitimately earned credentials.
The report also delves into the manipulation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) system. Despite participating genuinely in the NYSC in the past, the reporter successfully created a new profile, passed the screening, and was eventually posted to Cross River for a one-year service.
The investigation points out the challenges faced by institutions like NYSC in dealing with foreign-trained graduates and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive solution to address fraudulent practices. The Federal Ministry of Education, NYSC, Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), and the foreign university ESGT have been contacted for responses.
The Ministry of Education's Director of Press and Public Relations, Bem Goong, has requested to see all documents before responding, while NYSC's Director of Press and Public Affairs, Eddy Megwa, expressed confidence in their integrated ICT system. The Seme Border Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service denied knowledge of officers engaging in nefarious acts.
