The Federal Government is considering assessment tests for Nigerians holding degrees from foreign universities, particularly in African countries, to curb certificate fraud and safeguard academic standards.
The proposal was presented by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, at the 37th Meeting of the National Standing Committee (NSC) on Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications in Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr Olatunji-David stressed that international education must not compromise acceptable academic standards, noting the need to strengthen verification and establish that applicants genuinely attended the institutions awarding their qualifications.
According to her, the Ministry had automated and digitalised the evaluation of foreign qualifications and authentication of Nigerian certificates since the beginning of the year, a move she said has improved transparency, efficiency and service delivery.
She disclosed that the Committee would also consider monitoring Nigerians studying in African institutions, recognising foreign regulatory bodies as reliable verification sources, and establishing equivalence guidelines for foreign secondary-school qualifications.
Dr Olatunji-David added that other issues before the Committee include compliance by foreign-curriculum schools operating in Nigeria with national education policies, and guidelines for issuing letters of no objection to proposed institutions.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, said the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening verification and regulatory frameworks to ensure that only genuine qualifications from recognised and accredited institutions receive official recognition.
