The House of Representatives’ Joint Committee investigating certificate racketeering in higher institutions is advocating for harsher penalties for offenders. Led by Chairman Rep.
Abubakar Fulata, the committee visited several Lagos-based institutions, including the University of Lagos, Yaba College of Technology, and Lagos State University.
The committee demands stricter punishment for certificate forgery offenders and their accomplices.
The probe follows a resolution by the House of Representatives after an investigative journalist exposed alleged certificate racketeering.
Fulata lamented that many individuals now prefer obtaining certificates through illicit means rather than studying, undermining the value of Nigerian degrees.
The committee urged universities to enhance security features on certificates, such as QR codes, to facilitate verification and prevent forgery.
The committee’s investigation aims to restore the integrity of Nigeria’s education system and ensure that graduates are genuinely qualified for their roles.