The Federal Government is considering the introduction of assessment tests for Nigerians who obtain degrees from foreign universities as part of efforts to curb certificate fraud and strengthen the verification of foreign academic qualifications.
The proposal was presented at the 37th Meeting of the National Standing Committee (NSC) on Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications in Abuja, where members were urged to consider additional measures to confirm the authenticity of foreign degrees submitted for official recognition and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation.
The Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, said the proposed assessment tests could help establish whether applicants genuinely attended the institutions concerned and acquired the knowledge and skills associated with the qualifications they presented.
She explained that although Nigeria remained committed to promoting international education, this should not compromise acceptable academic standards. She noted that the growing number of Nigerians seeking higher education abroad, particularly in other West African countries, made stronger verification mechanisms necessary.
Dr Olatunji-David also disclosed that the Ministry had automated and digitalised the evaluation of foreign qualifications and authentication of Nigerian certificates since the beginning of the year. According to her, the development had improved transparency, efficiency and service delivery, while direct payment of fees into government accounts had strengthened revenue generation.
The committee is also expected to consider measures for monitoring Nigerians studying in African institutions through institutional visits and diplomatic channels, as well as identifying reliable foreign regulatory bodies that can provide information on accredited institutions.
Other issues on the agenda include guidelines for issuing letters of no objection to proposed institutions seeking registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission and ensuring that foreign-curriculum schools operating in Nigeria comply with national education policies.
The committee will further examine the recognition of foreign secondary-school qualifications, including United States and Canadian High School Diplomas and the French Baccalaureate, for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions, subject to appropriate assessment and equivalence.
Earlier, the Director of the Education Support Services Department, Mr Amudipe Gabriel Oluwole, described the evaluation of foreign qualifications as a critical responsibility of the Ministry, stressing the importance of evidence-based planning, monitoring, transparency and accountability.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to strengthening verification and regulatory frameworks to ensure that only genuine qualifications obtained from recognised and accredited institutions receive official recognition.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
