Update on Certificate Ban for Nigerian Graduates from Benin Republic and Togo: Hope on the Horizon

 

Update on Certificate Ban for Nigerian Graduates from Benin Republic and Togo: Hope on the Horizon

By RgistplusEdu Correspondent – National Assembly, Abuja | July 24, 2025

A significant development unfolded yesterday, July 23, 2025, at the National Assembly during a public hearing held by the House Committee on Public Petitions. The session focused on the suspension of degree certificate evaluations for Nigerian students who studied in Benin Republic and Togo — a crisis that has left many graduates stranded, unemployed, and stigmatized.

The hearing brought together key stakeholders including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affected students and alumni, and various education stakeholders from Benin Republic and Togo.

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A Heated Session and a Cry for Justice

The Chairman of the House Committee, visibly displeased with the Ministry of Education, expressed strong disappointment over the prolonged silence and lack of action on the issue. He emphasized that Nigerian students studying abroad, especially in neighboring West African countries, must not be punished for administrative oversights or unverified generalizations.

The Ministry of Education, in its defense, explained that the ongoing certificate evaluation suspension was a fallout from a policy initiated by the immediate past administration within the ministry. According to the ministry’s representatives, the decision was made without thorough investigation or due process, and the current administration is now working to correct the misconceptions and restore confidence in legitimate foreign academic qualifications.

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Assurance to Affected Graduates

During the hearing, the Ministry of Education provided a key assurance:

Any graduate facing job loss, threat of dismissal, or professional discrimination due to this issue is urged to report directly to the Ministry of Education for immediate assistance.

This promise comes as a much-needed relief to thousands of graduates who have faced career stagnation, particularly those already employed in both public and private sectors.

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Deadline Set: September 25, 2025

To fast-track resolution, the Chairman directed the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the Ambassador of Benin Republic to Nigeria before September 25, 2025, to obtain and compile an official list of accredited private institutions in Benin Republic.

This compilation, along with other findings, is expected to form the basis for a final verdict on the matter. The Chairman stressed that the issue must be resolved and closed by September 25, 2025, assuring Nigerian students studying abroad—particularly in Benin and Togo—that justice and clarity will be served.

🕊️ Hope for Affected Graduates

The public hearing ended on a hopeful note, with the Committee reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that innocent students are not punished for administrative errors or poorly executed policy decisions made by former government officials. The Chairman vowed that this hearing marked a turning point and that the misguided narrative of "fake certificates" will be corrected with verified facts and structured reforms.

“Nigerian students in Benin Republic have suffered long enough due to this unfair pronouncement,” the Chairman concluded. “We are determined to bring this matter to a close and restore the dignity of those who earned their degrees legitimately.”

As the September deadline approaches, students and alumni are encouraged to remain calm and cooperate fully with any verification processes initiated by the Ministry.

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For inquiries or to report certificate-related employment issues, contact:
📧: Ministry of Education Public Affairs Unit
📍: Federal Secretariat, Abuja

Stay tuned with RgistplusEdu for continued updates on this and other education-related developments from the National Assembly.

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