“Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria Bans 18 Foreign Universities Amid Degree Certificate Scandal

The Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria has taken action by banning 18 foreign universities from operating within the country. This decision comes after the government suspended the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the Republic of Benin and Togo due to a scandal.

The Nigerian government has cautioned citizens against enrolling in these institutions following an undercover investigation that uncovered fraudulent activities at a degree mill in Cotonou, Benin Republic. The investigation revealed that a reporter was able to obtain a degree from Cotonou University within six weeks and subsequently participated in the mandatory one-year scheme organized by the National Youth Service Corps.

The National Universities Commission has delisted the following foreign universities from its approved list based on data analysis from their website:

1. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.

2. Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.

3. The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

4. Collumbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

5. Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

6. Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

7. London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.

8. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria.

9. West African Christian University is operating anywhere in Nigeria.

10. EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.

11. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.

12. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.

13. Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

14. University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

15. Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

16. African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

17. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.

18. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.

This move aims to protect Nigerian students from unaccredited and potentially fraudulent educational institutions.