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The House of Representatives has cleared the Republic of Togo from any accusations related to the issuance of fraudulent academic certificates, which caused a stir in the education sector a few years back.
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Public Petitions has shifted its focus to the Republic of Benin, where a rumored syndicate engaged in certificate forgery is reportedly operating.
Bitrus Laori, Chairman of the Committee, made this revelation during a resumed investigative hearing in Abuja on Friday, following a petition submitted by Sovereign Legal Practitioners on behalf of important educational stakeholders.
The petition criticizes the Federal Ministry of Education’s broad statement last year that implicated both Togo and Benin in academic fraud.
Laori stated that diplomatic findings from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have absolved Togo of any misconduct, supporting the legitimacy of its educational institutions.
"The Republic of Togo has been cleared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The remaining concern is with the Republic of Benin," Laori remarked.
The committee has scheduled another hearing regarding the Benin Republic for Thursday, July 10, 2025, after a formal postponement due to the absence of the lawyer representing the petitioners.
Additionally, the Committee has summoned the Federal Ministry of Education to clarify its 2024 directive about pre-qualification exams for foreign degree holders.
"This meeting is adjourned to July 10, and we are issuing another summons to the Federal Ministry of Education. We require clarification on the pre-qualification examinations being imposed on graduates from the Benin Republic, which is currently hindering hundreds of Nigerian students and graduates," Laori mentioned.
This development follows a significant sting operation in late 2024, in which a Nigerian undercover journalist uncovered a profitable scheme for selling certificates in the Benin Republic, leading to widespread public anger and prompt administrative measures by the federal government.
Numerous civil servants were terminated for presenting degrees from unaccredited private universities in both Togo and Benin between 2017 and 2024. With Togo now exonerated, the focus shifts to the Benin Republic.
