The Federal Government has intensified its crackdown on illegal tertiary institutions by shutting down 22 unaccredited Colleges of Education across Nigeria.
This decisive action, led by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), is part of a broader effort to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s education system and protect students from exploitation by so-called “certificate mills.”
These fake institutions have long undermined the credibility of legitimate academic qualifications, leaving graduates with unrecognized credentials and dashed hopes.
In its latest report, the NCCE revealed that the 22 colleges were operating without proper approval or accreditation.
Beyond the closures, the commission also conducted a thorough personnel audit and financial monitoring of all 21 federal Colleges of Education to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and improve accountability.
This development follows a firm directive from President Bola Tinubu, who recently called on education regulators to take decisive action against unaccredited institutions.
Speaking at the 14th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, Tinubu—represented by Rakiya Ilyasu, Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education—stressed that the federal government would no longer tolerate schools operating outside established laws.
“The integrity of Nigeria’s education system must not be compromised”, the President declared, adding that his administration is committed to fostering collaboration among education agencies to enhance efficiency and quality.
To this end, Tinubu highlighted efforts to integrate key institutions like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and other oversight bodies into a unified framework to combat forgery, fake degrees, and unrecognized schools.
This coordinated approach aims to restore global confidence in Nigerian certificates and eliminate loopholes that allow fraudulent institutions to thrive.
For years, education stakeholders have raised concerns about the proliferation of these illegal institutions, which often promise low fees and quick certificates, only to leave students with qualifications that are neither recognized by employers nor government agencies.
This latest crackdown sends a clear message: the Federal Government is determined to sanitize the education sector and protect students from falling prey to unscrupulous operators. It’s a bold step toward ensuring that Nigerian graduates can compete confidently on the global stage.
