The House of Representatives Joint Committee investigating alleged certificate racketeering in Nigeria has vowed to address the alarming trend.
The committee warned the public against compromising education, emphasizing the importance of academic integrity.
Committee Chairman Issues Strong Warning
Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, chairman of the House Committee on University Education, issued the warning in a statement on Saturday.
He stated that the joint committee has started visiting relevant organizations to ensure compliance with legal provisions for quality education.
Oversight Visits Not a Witch-Hunt
Fulata clarified that the committee’s oversight visits are not intended as a witch-hunt.
The visits are based on a House of Representatives resolution mandating an investigation into certificate racketeering, prompted by revelations from an investigative journalist.
Journalist Reveals Fraudulent Certificate Scheme
The journalist, appearing before the probe panel, revealed how he obtained a degree certificate from a tertiary institution in the Benin Republic in less than six months—a program that normally requires a minimum of four years.
He also narrated that he was mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) despite having served previously and had his passport stamped by the Nigerian Immigration Service as if he had traveled abroad, even though he had not.
Committee Visits Key Institutions
Fulata noted that the committee visited the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Interior, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and NYSC, among others, during the week.
Government Officials Pledge Action
During the visits, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa pledged to take steps to curb certificate forgery and racketeering.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo stated that all matters relating to passports and visas would soon be automated to prevent fraud.
Importance of Education Emphasized
The lawmaker stressed, “Any nation that takes education for granted is toiling with the future and generations unborn.