Examination boards in Kenya and Uganda are now writing to Nigeria to verify records presented by Nigerian candidates seeking admissions into tertiary institutions in their countries.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board disclosed this in a document for the 2024 policy meeting.
JAMB noted in the document that it would not falsify the records of any students while stressing the need to protect Nigeria’s tertiary education from disrepute.
Recent scandals, such as the alarming reports of officials at the Lagos State University (LASU) reportedly selling degrees for between N2 million and N3 million, have underscored the urgent need for these verification measures.
In these cases, individuals could purchase degrees simply by providing a substantial sum and an O-level certificate, allowing them to be registered as graduates in the university’s system alongside legitimate students who have worked hard to earn their degrees.
This revelation has sparked outrage, especially among the founders of these institutions, as it highlights not only the prevalence of certificate fraud but also the disturbing fact that some staff members involved in these schemes remain unpunished.
In response to this crisis, the Nigerian government has mandated that all higher education institutions submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education within three months following their matriculation ceremonies.
This submission must go through a dedicated channel established by JAMB, aiming to bolster oversight and accountability in the admissions process.
This initiative is a crucial recommendation from the Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling, formed by the government to address the issues surrounding degree mills and certificate racketeering.
Meanwhile, as Kenya and Uganda tighten their admissions protocols, this serves as a wake-up call for all stakeholders in the education sector to prioritize integrity and transparency in academic qualifications.