The Coalition of Stakeholders in Education in the Republic of Benin is advocating for the lift of the ban on degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo. Leaders of the coalition expressed their concerns during a recent press conference, highlighting the need for the government to target individuals with qualifications from unaccredited institutions or obtained through fraudulent means instead of penalizing all graduates from these countries.
One of the leaders criticized the Minister of Education’s decision to invalidate the certificates retroactively, deeming it unjustifiable. This response was triggered by the Minister’s statements regarding higher education institutions in Benin Republic and Togo, where he claimed that only a few universities were officially approved to grant degrees.
Disputing the Minister’s information, another coalition leader pointed out that there are more accredited universities in both countries than stated. He also clarified that the educational system in Benin Republic and Togo follows a structure that aligns with international standards like the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System.
Moreover, the coalition questioned the Minister’s actions and motives, raising concerns about the fairness of the certificate invalidation and the impact it has on Nigerian students. They urged for intervention from influential figures like President Bola Tinubu to support the affected students and address the uncertainties they are currently facing.