On Wednesday, the Federal Ministry of Education announced the suspension of the evaluation and verification of certificates issued by over 57 academic institutions operating in Benin Republic and Togo.

This development followed an investigation by Daily Nigerian into the fraudulent issuance of a degree certificate by Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies, ESGT, Cotonou, Benin Republic, in six weeks.

Many Nigerians rush to the named institution and others in the two countries for undergraduate studies and become eligible to participate in the mandatory national service organised by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

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It has become routine for some prominent Nigerians to get honorary degrees from these institutions now described as “degree mills”.

Although honorary degrees follow different criteria and are meant to recognise people who have contributed to the growth of their chosen careers and society at large, the flagging of these schools as “degree mills” raises questions about the integrity of such degrees.

Aside from young Nigerians holding first degree certificates obtained from these “degree mills”, FIJ has found that some Nigerian policymakers and professionals have affiliations with some of these schools by virtue of their honorary doctorate degrees.

SENATOR SHEHU SANI

In 2017, Shehu Sani, a former senator from Kaduna Central Senatorial District, became an honoree of Ecotes University. Pictures from the ceremony were on the school’s Facebook page.

Commenting on the ridiculous system that allowed someone to obtain a degree certificate in six weeks, the senator has posted a social media jibe about degrees obtained from Cotonou. He tweeted: “Cotonou degree is like: 100 level, 2 weeks; 200 level, 2 weeks; 300 level, 1 week; 400 level, 1 week. Then Graduation.”

DOMINIC NGENE JOSHUA

The same Ecotes University conferred an honorary degree on Dominic Ngene Joshua, an alleged serial fraudster who duped Nigerians of over N2 billion.

He was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force’s Special Fraud Unit in 2021. Some of the proceeds of the fraud have been confiscated.

FIJ reported how Joshua and Ismaila Yousouf Atumeyi allegedly conspired to lift money from Union Bank customers’ accounts to the tune of N681 million.

BELLO MATAWALLE

The African Institute of Science, Administration and Commercial Studies (IAEC), located in Lome, Togo, honoured Bello Matawalle, the immediate-past governor of Zamfara State, with an honorary PhD.

According to Yusuf Idris Gusau, a former media aide to Matawalle, the award recognised his principal’s achievements in leadership and administration.

Matawalle is currently the Minister of State for Defence.

LANRE OLUSOLA AND LUKMAN AKANBI

In April 2022, Escae Benin University, properly called Ecole Superieure des Sciences, Commerce, Administration des Enterprises du Benin (ESCAE-BENIN) gave honorary doctorate degrees to Lanre Olusola and Lukman Akanbi.

Olusola is a life coach and behavioural psychologist, while Akanbi practices as a business coach. The ceremony was held in Lagos State.

PETER OKOYE (MR. P)

Peter Okoye also holds an honorary degree from the said Escae-Benin University, which was awarded to him in 2022.

The school described the celebrity hip-hop artiste as “a singer, writer, dancer, and director; better known as one half of the African pop duo, P-Square, with more than 100 million views on YouTube” on its website.

He described the school as a “distinguished educational institution” in an X post where he published the news of the honour.

IKECHUKWU MITCHEL OGBONNA

In June 2022, Ikechukwu Mitchel Ogbonna, a Nollywood actor, was recognised with an honorary doctorate degree in arts, leadership and development by Institut Supérieur De Management Et De Technologie (ISMT St Salomon University).

Following the recognition, the actor introduced himself as “Dr (Hon) Ikechukwu Mitchel Ogbonna” on his verified Instagram handle.

MICHAEL EZURUONYE

Another film maker, Michael Ezuruonye, also received such a degree from ESTAM University, Seme Campus, located in the Republic of Benin.

Out of excitement, he shared the news on his Instagram page, where he described himself as Dr. Michael Ezuruonye while appreciating his fans for their support.

OONI, OLUWO OTHERS LISTED AS HONOREES IN 2023

In October 2023, some prominent traditional rulers were reportedly nominated to receive degree honours from Edexcel University of Benin (Institut Universitaire Edexel Du Benin), according to a report by Tribune Newspaper.

Among the listed traditional rulers were Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife; Alhaji Mohammed Sani, Emir of Borgu; Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale, Oluwo of Iwoland; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA); and Usman Ododo, Kogi State governor-elect, among others.

According to blog posts and a flyer seen on the school’s Facebook page, the event was held in Sultan Bello Hall at the University of Ibadan.

FIJ could not independently verify if these personalities attended the event in person or by proxy to accept the recognition.

BEAUTIFUL NUBIA

In a Facebook post on October 16, 2016, Segun Akinlolu, a Nigerian songwriter and musician, announced that the management of ESEP Le Berger University, Benin Republic, had awarded him an honorary PhD in arts.

The institution is among the foreign schools currently blacklisted by the NUC.

ALI BUKAR DALORI

FIJ also found that Ali Bukar Dalori is one of the previous honorees of the IAEC. The school premised Dalori’s award on his contributions to international relations and diplomacy.

Dalori, the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy national chairman (North), was, at the same time, inducted as a member of the school’s board of trustees in 2023.

DAUDA LAWAL

During its 8th convocation ceremony in 2021, IHERIS University, Togo, decorated Dauda Lawal with a doctorate degree in trade and investment.

Lawal is the incumbent Governor of Zamfara State, having defeated Matawalle in the governorship election held in March 2023.

He is a former banker. After his political victory, the school eulogised him and assured him of “its full support as you embark on this new journey to taking your state to the next level”.

Benin does not currently have any universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. However, many of these institutions appear to have created an inroad into Nigeria’s leadership structure, honouring decision-makers with various awards and sustaining active networking with them.