Fake certificate: Uganda, Kenya vs write JAMB to demand students’ verification

JAMB disclosed this today in a document titled ‘Registrar’s Report on 2023 Admission & 2024 UTME Policy Meeting.

The document emphasized the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s tertiary institutions from international disrepute and stated that JAMB would not falsify any student records.

“Examination boards in Uganda and Kenya are now requesting JAMB to verify the records presented by candidates for admission. JAMB will not falsify records,” the Nigerian examination body affirmed.

Recently, the Federal Government suspended the verification of degree certificates from Uganda, Kenya, Benin Republic, Togo, and several other countries due to allegations of certificate fraud.

This decision by the Federal Government follows an investigation by Daily Nigeria reporter, Umar Audu, who acquired a degree within six weeks from the Benin Republic.

In response to his report, the Federal Government established an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling to investigate the activities of those involved in certificate fraud.

Reports reveal that JAMB had threatened to sanction higher institutions that fail to submit the list of admitted students immediately after matriculation.

JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, noted that this initiative is one of the recommendations from a committee set up by the Federal Government to tackle fake degree fraud in the country.

According to a document titled ‘Clarification on Disclosure of Admitted Candidates Outside CAPS (2017-Date)’ JAMB has directed institutions to submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education no later than three months after matriculation ceremonies through JAMB’s dedicated channel.

“The Board has noticed a significant number of candidates approaching its offices to resolve issues related to the disclosure of candidates admitted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) from 2017 to date. While we appreciate their eagerness, it is important to clarify that the focus is on the institutions, which must disclose all candidates admitted outside CAPS before the August 31, 2024, deadline.

“This directive requires immediate compliance. Institutions are urged to review our initial letter carefully and ensure full compliance, as failure to disclose will result in severe consequences. Candidates are also reminded not to accept admissions outside CAPS.

“The Board reiterated that candidates not disclosed by institutions would not be entertained. The Board will no longer tolerate the condonement of undisclosed admissions moving forward.”

In a related development, a memo addressed to JAMB on July 15, 2024, by the Ministry of Education stated, “Following the publication of allegations regarding certificate fraud involving some foreign institutions, particularly in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and other countries, the ministry established an inter-ministerial committee to investigate these allegations and find lasting solutions.

“The committee has submitted its report, and the Honourable Minister of Education has approved its recommendations for implementation.

“In light of this, I hereby convey the Honourable Minister’s request for the implementation of the following committee recommendations:

“Enforce the mandatory requirement for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to exclusively conduct their admissions processes through the Central Admissions Processing System under the supervision of JAMB; and mandate all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education no later than three months after matriculation ceremonies through JAMB’s dedicated channel.

“You are kindly requested to implement the above recommendations and provide the ministry with updates on their implementation.”

Last Thursday, Channels Television reported that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had demobilized 54 corps members who were illegally mobilized by the University of Calabar, in addition to the 101 certificates recently voided by the scheme, bringing the total to 178.

In response to these developments, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has vowed to eliminate holders of fake degrees from Nigeria’s educational system.