In a bold stance against the rising issue of fraudulent academic qualifications, Education Minister Tahir Mamman, representing President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has issued a stern warning to those using counterfeit certificates from various African countries, labeling them as a significant threat to Nigeria’s future.
During a recent interview with Channels TV, Mr. Mamman expressed deep concern over the presence of individuals in Nigeria who present fake qualifications, often without having ever studied in the institutions they claim.
He pointed out the dangerous implications of such fraud, particularly in sensitive sectors like healthcare, where unqualified individuals could potentially cause harm.
“These people are essentially thieves, posing a grave danger to our country,” Mr. Mamman stated.
He added, “Imagine someone with no real knowledge or training entering the workforce, especially in critical areas like hospitals. The consequences could be disastrous.”
The minister outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to identify and dismiss both public and private sector employees who have secured their positions using fraudulent certificates, particularly from institutions in the Benin Republic, Togo, and other African nations.
He stated that these institutions are not recognised even in their home countries, raising the question of why Nigeria should validate their credentials.
Lamenting the widespread practice of obtaining first-class degrees through corrupt means, Mr. Mamman highlighted how such forgers unfairly compete with genuine Nigerian graduates, undermining the value of education and merit.
The government’s crackdown on certificate forgers has intensified following an investigation by Daily Nigerian, which revealed how Nigerians have been purchasing and flaunting fake degrees from universities in the Benin Republic.
