The Federal Government has confirmed an ongoing investigation into the 3,000 alleged fake graduates recently uncovered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Minister of State for Education, Tanko Sununu, told The Nation that those found guilty of forgery would be prosecuted. He also noted that a panel investigating degree racketeering in foreign and private universities had completed its report.
Sununu stated, “Investigation is ongoing and those identified will be prosecuted accordingly.”
He explained that the alleged fake graduates were part-time students who forged their admission to join regular programs, enabling them to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
“The 3,000 are part-time candidates that forged their admission to be regular students just for them to participate in the national service.
“Forgery is a punishable offense, and the ministry will ensure due process is followed to prosecute all those involved,” he said.
The minister also mentioned that the recommendations from a seven-member panel on degree racketeering would be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) soon.
“The report of the committee has been submitted and there are many recommendations requiring FEC approval. Once the FEC decides, the report will be implemented immediately,” Sununu added.
He highlighted the issue of degrees obtained from unrecognized institutions in Benin and Togo, stressing the importance of ensuring that certificates are genuinely obtained from recognized institutions.
“Those who obtain certificates through the back door lack skills and appropriate knowledge and cannot add value to economic development. We cannot allow it. It poses a serious danger to Nigeria,” he said.
JAMB Registrar Is-haq Oloyede confirmed that the board was still investigating some of the fake graduates.
“Any elaborate discussion by me on this will compromise what we are doing,” he noted.
Previously, Oloyede had told the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN) that those involved in the act never attended classes, condemning illegal admissions by some tertiary institutions as a source of embarrassment.
