The Nigerian House of Representatives is taking action against the growing issue of fake certificates. They have summoned key government officials, including the Ministers of Education and Foreign Affairs, to answer questions about how some Nigerians are getting fake academic qualifications.
Also invited to the hearing are the Ministers of Youth Development, Interior, and the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The investigative public hearing will happen on Monday, May 19, 2025.
Abubakar Hassan Fulata, who is the chairman of the joint House Committee, released a statement showing serious concern about the issue. He said the lawmakers will deal with the matter head-on and ensure that the problem is addressed.
The committee has also called on other groups to attend the hearing. These include the Committee of Vice Chancellors, the National Universities Commission (NUC), Penlight Media Ltd, the Ministry of Higher and Science Education in the Republic of Benin, and the Benin Embassy in Abuja.
Although official letters were sent earlier, this public announcement is to remind everyone that failing to attend the hearing could be seen as support for corruption in the education system.
This investigation started after a journalist went undercover to expose how easily people could get fake certificates. Fulata praised the journalist, calling the work patriotic and important for the country.
He said the National Assembly cannot sit back and watch the education system fall apart. According to him, the undercover journalist was able to get a university degree from Cotonou in just a few weeks and even joined the NYSC program quickly afterward.
Fulata said the whole situation is very troubling. While most Nigerians work hard and follow the right steps to earn degrees, others are taking shortcuts by buying fake ones. These people then use the fake certificates to get jobs and move ahead in different careers.
He warned that this kind of action is not just against the law—it also puts the country’s future and development at risk.
So far, many agencies have not sent their reports to the committee. These include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the Nigerian Immigration Service.
In addition, 52 federal universities, 61 state universities, and 93 private universities have not yet submitted their responses either.
The House of Representatives is now taking steps to uncover the truth and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
