Why has Nigeria rejected accreditation of some African University certificates?
It was very shocking news in Tanzania in 2007 that a knee patient at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es salaam, had undergone brain operation. That, on November 8, surgeons opened the skull of the one Emmanuel Didas to remove a non- existent brain tumor. He only needed knee surgery. He was mistakenly mixed up with another patient, Emmanuel Mgaya, who had the tumor, but underwent a knee surgery. At first it was taken as a rumor which usually sparks as fire in the hammatan, before it was officially announced by the then Tanzania Minister of Health, David Mwakyusa, apologizing for what happened, saying the surgical mix-up was caused by confusion of the two patients' first name.
”We are all saddened by the incident, and I would like to say sorry to the victims on behalf of the government,”, said Minister.
The statement didn't stop the condemnations across the country and in East Africa, as MNH was (and still is) a remarkable referral hospital. It was so sad that a man with a brain tumor who instead received knee surgery died two days later.
It was considered by many that they incident was probably covered by fake certificates. Though was not stated was the cause, it was a time a drum sounded that rhythm and dancers caught the tune: 'fake certificates, fake certificates''.
The fifth phase of Tanzania government under former President John Pombe Magufuli, clearly distinguished itself by mitigating fake certificates among public servants. President Magufuli responding to the release of a government report into fraudulent conduct in the public sector, he said,
"These people occupied government positions but had no qualifications. They robbed us just like other common criminals,". "We have been working hard to create new jobs while there are people in government who hold fake degrees,". Nearly 10,000 civil servants known as ghost workers, were sacked for having fake education certificates.
Since then, employment authorities have been more serious on certificates identification, and one who seeks a job must be well equipped otherwise he/she lands into 'iron hands'. Fake certificates, a phenomenon in Afrika and the world -TRT AFRICA report. journalist with Turkish Radio and Television (TRT), Kiswahili Programme, reports that the possession of fake certificates is rampant in Africa and the world and if goes unchecked, will bring great disaster.
He tells a story of Umar Audu, of Daily Nigeria (Investigative Journalism), who in February 2023, managed to receive his degree certificate he had applied in December 2022 at a certain organization dealing with fake certificates at cheap price in Cotonou, Benin. In 2013, Benin government closed 5 Universities and 80 Colleges for awarding forged certificates. This saga has raised strong emotions in Nigeria as it affects academic qualifications and leading to poor performances in rendering of services. According to TRT, Nigeria government has banned 30 Universities and Colleges in Nigeria, to operate and their leaders are held for questioning. Also 22 University and Colleges outside Nigeria have been blacklisted. It is said you can be awarded a degree in only six months in Nigeria.
"I have no mercy for those with fake certificates from foreign countries. We will not stay only in Benin and Togo, we will expand this operation against countries such as Uganda, Kenya and even Niger", said Nigeria Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman. It has known that two East African countries of Uganda and Kenya certificates are not recognized in Nigeria.
Uganda denies Nigeria allegations over fake degrees.
However, The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has denied allegations that Uganda may face Nigeria's rejection of its degree certificates. Prof Mary Okwakol, NCHE's executive director, was quoted as saying that there have been no complaints from Nigeria about the legitimacy of Ugandan academic papers, and appeal to anyone with evidence of fake degree to come forward for further information. Is Uganda safe from forgery certificates in this digital era? Can Tanzania walk shoulders high that it is free from the saga, as long as it wasn't mentioned by Nigeria? Before you see a speck from your brother's eye, first take a plank out of your own eye- is Nigeria doing enough to curb the long-time history of forgery and fraudulent? That when Nigeria is mentioned, one's hair 'fall cold.'
