The House of Representatives has initiated an investigation into the purported certificate racketeering involving certain officials of Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, allegedly engaged in such practices with Nigerian students.
Rep. Abubakar Fulata, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Certificate Racketeering, expressed determination to address this issue within tertiary institutions during the committee’s session in Abuja.
He emphasized that unchecked certificate racketeering could severely impact the healthcare system and various sectors of the economy.
Fulata mentioned that the House had tasked its Committees on University Education, Interior Foreign Affairs, and Youth Development with conducting an investigation into the matter and providing a report.
“This has been a burning issue in both public and private institutions where there are seemingly less observance of rules, regulations, processes, quality assurance, among others.
He emphasized the importance of uncovering the underlying causes of this illicit activity and finding effective solutions. He also appealed to the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and other relevant stakeholders to collaborate with the committee to achieve the desired outcome.
NAN reported that in December 2022, a Nigerian journalist named Umar Audu obtained a degree from a university in Cotonou, Benin Republic, within six weeks. He then participated in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Audu subsequently accused unspecified officials from the Ministry of Education of being involved in the racketeering syndicate. This development sparked widespread criticism from concerned Nigerians.
Leading the debate on the motion, Fulata called on the House to “identify officials of MDAs and students who benefited from such institutions and their campuses in the last ten years.