The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has launched an investigation into the claims by an undercover reporter, Umar Audu, who alleged he bagged a four-year degree from a Benin Republic university under six weeks, and participated in the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, using same certificate.
A Tuesday statement by the Commission’s spokesperson, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua revealed that the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN) held a crucial meeting with Umar at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday to verify details and take further action.
The statement reads:
“To verify details and move beyond speculation, ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, convened a critical meeting today at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja with a reporter from a news outlet. They discussed the outlet’s December 30th 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.
“Furthermore, the Commission will engage in a synergistic 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.”
Meanwhile, born out of Audu’s investigative report, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has now ordered the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.
This was contained in a Tuesday statement signed by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, part of which reads:
“This report lends credence to suspicions 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.
“The Federal Ministry of Education vehemently decries such acts and with effect from 2nd January 2024 is suspending evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics pending the outcome of an investigation that would involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the two countries, the ministries responsible for Education in the two countries as well the Department of State Security Services, and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).”
An investigative report published by the Daily Nigerian Newspaper titled “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks” exposed how Audu, one of its reporters obtained a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication degree certificate from Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT) in Cotonou, Benin Republic within a period of six weeks.
The report exposed the undercover reporter’s engagement with an agent, who is part of a syndicate specializing in this racketeering operation, offering the sale of these notorious degree certificates at an affordable price and how this is a booming business, where agents work hand in gloves with some top management staff of the University.