Reps probe alleged certificate racketeering in tertiary institutions

A Joint Committee of the House of Representatives investigating alleged certificate racketeering in tertiary institutions on Wednesday urged the Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), and other relevant agencies to intensify efforts to curb the menace in the country.

The Chairman of the committee, Abubakar Fulata, made the call at a meeting with the new Executive Secretary of the Nigerian University Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullah Ribadu, in Abuja.

The lawmaker, who represents Birniwa/Guri/Kiri-Kasamma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said the House was determined to end the menace.

He added that members of the joint committee were drawn from committees on University Education; Interior, Foreign Affairs, Youth and Sports Development as well as Federal Polytechnics and Federal Colleges of Education.

Fulata said the committee would soon organised a public investigative hearing, saying the meeting with the NUC was part of preparation for the hearing.

According to him, the investigation followed the House’s resolution mandating the committee to investigate the matter and report back for further legislative actions.

READ ALSO: Nigerian govt commences probe of certificate racketeering in foreign, local private varsities

He said: “The resolution followed a motion calling for the probe of an allegation by a journalist who went as undercover to obtain a degree certificate within six months from a university in the Benin Republic and got enrolled for NYSC service in Nigeria.

“The joint committee has sent letters to different organisations requesting their submissions ahead of the hearing.

“Some of the organisations include the Ministry of Education, NUC, Committee of Vice Chancellors, Federal Ministry of Higher and Scientific Education, Republic of Benin (Ambassade De La Republique Du Benin), Abuja.

“Others are the National Youth Service Corps, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Immigration Service, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, Ministry of Interior, all public and private universities in Nigeria among others.”

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