NANS Urges FG to Sanction Nigerian Institutions Running Unaccredited Courses

National Association of Nigerian Students reacts to the suspension of degree certificates from Benin and Togo.

In response to the Federal Ministry of Education's suspension of the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is urging the government to extend similar sanctions to home-based institutions offering unaccredited courses.

NANS Calls for Investigation into Fraudulent Activities

NANS commends the government's action against foreign institutions but calls for an investigation into relevant agencies involved in fraudulent activities related to obtaining degree certificates from abroad.

Following the Federal Ministry of Education's suspension of the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is calling on the government to take similar measures against local institutions offering unaccredited courses.

In a statement by factional National Senate President, Elvis Ekundina, NANS praised the Federal Government for the suspension of accreditation for certificates obtained from foreign institutions. However, the students' body emphasized the need for sanctions against domestic tertiary institutions involved in fraudulent practices.

“We also want to use this opportunity to call on the government to beam its searchlight into the activities of tertiary institutions, especially privately owned ones, that are running unaccredited courses." - Elvis Ekundina, National Senate President, NANS

NANS decried the deceptive methods employed by some Nigerians to acquire degrees from Benin Republic and Togo, emphasizing that such practices undermine the integrity of the educational system.

“NANS describes these universities and polytechnics offering unaccredited courses as illegal institutions as we want the government to deal with them appropriately." - Elvis Ekundina

The association urged the Federal Government to initiate an investigation into the activities of relevant agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), linked to fraudulent practices in obtaining foreign degree certificates.

“This is the only way the Federal government can save its face and restore the battered image of the country." - Statement by NANS

Elvis Ekundina also called for collaboration between the Federal Government, NANS, and other student bodies to eliminate illegal tertiary learning institutions, thereby contributing to the revitalization of the nation's education sector.