Title: Foreign universities suspended: a measure to guarantee the quality of diplomas
Introduction :
The suspension of the evaluation and accreditation of diplomas awarded by universities in Togo and Benin has recently made headlines. This decision taken by the Nigerian federal government aims to combat the practices of “diploma mills”, these universities which issue diplomas fraudulently and without real academic value.
Development :
The in-depth investigation by a Daily Nigerian journalist revealed how he managed to obtain a university degree in just six weeks from a university in Cotonou, Benin, and participate in the national service programme. This shocking example highlights the scale of the problem and the need for action.
The National Commission for Higher Education, through the Ministry of Education, has therefore taken the decision to suspend the evaluation and accreditation of diplomas awarded by these universities in Togo and Benin. They are referred to as “diploma mills” because they do not have the necessary licenses to operate legally under Nigeria’s minimum education standards legislation.
On the list of foreign universities banned from operating in Nigeria, there are five American universities, three universities from Benin, six from the United Kingdom and three from Ghana. Among them, the University of Applied Sciences and Management in Porto-Novo, the Volta University College in Ghana, and the International University of Missouri in the United States, to name just a few examples.
This measure aims to protect Nigerian students who, in search of quality education, could end up with diplomas of no value in the job market. By reducing access to these unaccredited universities, the government wishes to guarantee the quality of the diplomas awarded by the country’s higher education institutions.
Conclusion :
The suspension of assessment and accreditation of degrees awarded by foreign universities is a necessary step to protect Nigerian students and ensure the quality of higher education in the country. It is important that the authorities support and strengthen this measure in order to prevent fraudulent practices and guarantee the integrity of the diplomas awarded to Nigerian students.