The Federal Government is considering introducing mandatory assessment tests for Nigerians with foreign university degrees before they can be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The proposed measure is aimed at tackling fake certificates and questionable foreign qualifications by ensuring that graduates genuinely attended the institutions that awarded their degrees and acquired the required academic knowledge and skills.
The proposal was presented by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, during the 37th meeting of the National Standing Committee on Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications held in Abuja on November 9, 2026.
Olatunji-David urged committee members to consider introducing assessment tests where necessary to determine the authenticity of foreign qualifications. The proposal is particularly focused on concerns surrounding Nigerians who obtain degrees from institutions abroad, especially in some African countries.
The move comes nearly three years after the Federal Government suspended the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from the Benin Republic and Togo in January 2024, following an undercover investigation that exposed how a journalist obtained a degree from a university in Benin Republic within six weeks.
The scandal raised concerns about certificate racketeering and the process through which foreign qualifications were recognised for employment and NYSC mobilisation.
Meanwhile, the ministry disclosed that it had automated and digitalised the evaluation of foreign qualifications and authentication of Nigerian certificates since the beginning of 2026. It also reported progress in verifying the accreditation status of foreign institutions and issuing clearance letters for NYSC mobilisation.
The government has yet to provide details on how the proposed assessment tests would be conducted or when they would commence. If introduced, the measure could mean an additional requirement for graduates who obtained legitimate degrees from accredited foreign institutions before beginning their national service.
Post comments (0)