FG Scans Certificates Recieved Abroad Before NYSC

The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja said that it had constituted a committee to screen degree certificates obtained by Nigerian students who studied abroad.

Prof. Julius Okojie, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), disclosed this to newsmen on the occasion of the official presentation of licences to two new private universities.

The two universities that were given provisional licences are Edwin Clark University, Kaigbodo, Delta State, and Hezekiah University, Umudi, Imo State.

Okojie said that the screening committee comprised members from the NUC and the Federal Ministry of Education.

Okojie said: “Recently, the ministry decided to set up a joint committee of NUC and the Federal Ministry of Education to look at the quality of those certificates; the committee has been set up but it has not been inaugurated.

“When they come for NYSC, they are referred to the Ministry of Education to look at the quality of their certificates.

“In Ukraine, where we have many of our students for instance, it is not that all the universities are bad; some are really good but it depends on which one.

“Some of our students who attended universities in Ukraine pass through the UK and get a second degree; in some countries, you can buy a certificate in the airport.’’

The Executive Secretary further expressed concern over the quality of some universities which Nigerian students attend, especially Ghana, in West Africa.

“Barely knowing that a foreign university is approved is not enough as the programme pursued by a student might not be approved,’’ Okojie admonished.