Prompted by an expose by Daily Nigerian journalist Umar Audu uncovering certificate fraud in neighboring Benin Republic and Togo, the Federal Government has initiated an inquiry into private universities established in the last 15 years. With over 107 universities established during this period, the Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling, established by the Federal Government, will scrutinize these institutions to ensure they have the requisite facilities, management structures, program funding, and staffing arrangements, including full-time, contract, adjunct, visiting, and other roles.

The investigation is conducted "without prejudice to the periodic accreditation exercise of the National Universities Commission."

"The committee solicits memoranda from the general public to gather information and make appropriate recommendations to address the issue in accordance with its terms of reference," stated the committee.

In an investigative report released late last year, Daily Nigerian journalist Audu detailed how he acquired a degree from Benin Republic within six weeks and subsequently participated in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme in the country.

In response, on January 9, 2024, the Federal Government announced its intention to investigate private universities established within the past 15 years. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, revealed this during the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on counterfeit degrees and the activities of degree mills in Abuja.

Committee Chairman, Jibrila Amin, stated that the inter-ministerial committee's mandate includes reviewing the involvement of any government agency or its personnel in facilitating the recognition and acquisition of counterfeit certificates. Additionally, the committee will assess the regulations, procedures, and processes governing the recognition and accreditation of foreign universities and programs by the Federal Ministry of Education. It will also investigate the existence and identity of unauthorized foreign institutions (Degree Mills) within Nigeria.

The committee is tasked with "making suitable recommendations for the review of existing rules, procedures, and processes to prevent future occurrences and impose sanctions on identified officials found to be at fault.

"Additionally, the committee will propose other recommendations aimed at enhancing the system of degree recognition, accreditation, and quality assurance in Nigeria. It will also scrutinize the current regulations, procedures, and processes governing the issuance of provisional licenses to new universities by the National Universities Commission."