The recent revelation by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) that it uncovered 3,000 fake certificates and illegal admissions in Nigeria has thrown the spotlight back on the persistent and pervasive issues of certificate racketeering within the nation’s education sector.
Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the JAMB registrar, disclosed the information at a meeting with the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria, COPSUN, on July 4, 2024.
‘Utter Embarrassment’
Several reports quoted Oloyede as stating that the individuals involved in the fake certificate businesses had never attended classes. He emphasized that some institutions have allowed these illegal practices to flourish, unchecked by the authorities. He described it as an “utter embarrassment” and a disservice to the nation, calling for an urgent need for institutions to crack down on such illegality.
Analysts contend that fake admissions and illegal certificates become rampant because of a complex web of factors including desperation from students, systemic corruption, and institutional weaknesses
‘Shopping for certificates’
Certificate merchants, they note, understand this complex situation and exploit it. A thriving shadow economy has emerged to prey on innocent and frustrated students by offering fake admissions that bypass established guidelines and procedures.
JAMB, in an effort to curb these excesses, established the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) many years ago. CAPS mandates that the board process all admissions to first-degree programs, national diplomas, national innovation diplomas, and Nigerian certificates in education. The board also emphasizes the need to dismiss and discard any admission conducted outside its CAPS platform. Yet, the sharp practices of issuing admissions through unauthorized means persist, with hundreds of students falling victim each year.
‘A sting backstory’
On December 21, 2023, the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education ordered JAMB to present a list of tertiary institutions involved in irregular and illegal admissions.
This directive was part of a broader effort to address the rampant use of fake certificates and admissions. JAMB’s revelation of 3,000 fake certificates can be seen as a continuation of the Rep’s efforts.
While the board is yet to reveal the names of the institutions involved in the shady and corrupt act, analysts asserted that JAMB must not protect identified schools. Public exposure, they argue, would serve as a deterrent to others.
‘ Varsity degree in six weeks’
A Nigerian journalist, Umar Audu, exposed the disturbing ease and speed of obtaining questionable degrees from universities in Benin Republic and Togo in an undercover investigation on December 30, 2023. His investigation confirmed that this practice is not new. An agent Audu contacted assured him that acquiring a certificate was only a matter of finances. The agent, boasting of years of experience in securing fraudulent certificates, promised a “purchased” degree from an institution in Benin .
True to his words, in less than two months for a fee of roughly N600,000, Audu secured a Bachelor of Science degree from the Benin institution.
Following the quick response from Nigerian authorities to Audu’s exposé, analysts urged for a similarly swift clampdown on fake certificates from Benin and other neighboring countries.
They also emphasized the need to extend this crackdown to local universities implicated in illegal activities. A unified approach, they argue, would demonstrate a seriousness and commitment to overhauling the education sector.
Both government and stakeholders must take a firm stance against this pervasive problem.
Certificates cannot be delivered “like Pizza,” they contended.
According to Education Experts, genuine efforts to improve the education system, whether within or outside the country’s borders, will be undermined by the continued existence of this fraudulent racket.
Long-Term Solutions Needed
While immediate action is crucial to address the current crisis, long-term solutions are also needed.
Analysts advise the educational institutions to prioritize stricter vetting procedures and implement robust authentication systems for certificates.
Additionally, they agree that collaboration between JAMB and regional educational bodies is essential to tackle the problem of fake certificates from neighboring countries.
“The government also has a role to play through increased funding for educational institutions, coupled with stricter penalties for those involved in certificate racketeering which would send a strong message of deterrence.” Olafaju Christopher, a University don noted.
He added: “ The government must also address the societal factors that contribute to desperation for fake certificates, such as unemployment and a lack of access to quality education; this is crucial for long-term success.”
