The National Government of Nigeria has revealed plans to suspend the recognition of degree certificates and academic qualifications from Kenya and Uganda, among other African nations, citing concerns about integrity. The announcement follows Nigeria’s recent decision to withdraw acknowledgments of accreditations from Benin and Togo.
Education Minister Tahir Mamman, in an interview with local media, stated, “We are not just going to stop at Togo and Benin; we are going to extend the dragnet to countries like Uganda and Kenya where such (fraudulent) institutions have been set up.” Prof Mamman expressed the need to protect Nigerian employers and maintain the integrity of qualifications, especially given the clandestine operations of some institutions.
The directive is prompted by investigations into agencies responsible for accrediting academic qualifications obtained abroad. The move comes after a local exposé revealed fraudulent practices in obtaining degrees, leading to a reevaluation of the recognition of qualifications from certain countries.
This decision adds another layer to the scrutiny of educational standards, impacting the reputation of Kenyan-issued papers at a time when the Kenyan government is actively seeking international job markets to address rising unemployment. The move underscores the global importance of maintaining the credibility and authenticity of academic qualifications.
In November 2022, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority director-general informed Parliament that approximately 30% of all academic certificates in Kenya were either fake, falsified, or tampered with. The announcement raises questions about the quality control measures in place for academic credentials and the implications for Kenyan job seekers in the international arena.
