FG To Screen Foreign Degrees, Blacklists Schools From West African Countries

LAGOS APRIL 10TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The Federal Government on Monday constituted a 16-man committee to screen the degrees obtained by Nigerians from foreign tertiary institutions.
The move, according to Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, became necessary following reported cases of fake foreign degrees said to have been obtained by Nigerians from sub-standard institutions across the continent.
According to a preliminary assessment by the Ministry of Education, no fewer than 40,000 Nigerians are either holding or currently studying as undergraduates in various tertiary institutions in some African countries.
To this end, the minister inaugurated a 16-man committee to set the criteria for evaluation of foreign certificates.
The inauguration was performed on the sidelines of the 33rd meeting of the National Standing Committee on Evaluation and Accreditation of Foreign Qualifications in Abuja.
Part of the terms of reference for the committee includes considering and recommending criteria for the recognition of degrees obtained outside Nigeria.
Adamu said degrees from questionable institutions, especially from Republics of Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cameroon have already been blacklisted by the ministry in the local job market.
He added that the ministry has also established mechanism to streamline students seeking government approval to study abroad.
“The recommendations that will be given by the committee will prove crucial to the wellbeing and future of those that acquired the qualifications and foreign certificates,” Adamu stated while inaugurating the committee.
A total of 16 persons were drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the country to carry out the assignment.

Short URL: http://newsrangers.com/?p=4328