Nigeria's Bid to Ban Degrees from Kenya Gains Attention

Nigeria has announced its intention to expand the list of countries affected by the suspension of degree accreditation, which already includes Benin and Togo.

Education Minister Tahir Mamman reveals that this action will extend to countries like Kenya, Uganda, and even Niger. The motivation behind this move stems from the discovery of counterfeit credentials originating from international degree mills, as emphasized by the Daily Nigerian newspaper. Through an undercover operation, journalist Umar Audu showcased the ease of acquiring a four-year degree from a university in Benin in less than two months.

Mr. Mamman made it clear that he has no sympathy for those who will be affected by this measure as they are not innocent bystanders but active participants in a criminal enterprise that should be caught. Nigeria has launched an official investigation into the government bodies in charge of accrediting overseas academic qualifications, intending to protect the country's employers and the credibility of its qualifications. In other news, the Kenyan government's proposal to close down the Kenya School of Monetary Studies (KSMS) in Ruaraka has been given the green light by Members of Parliament.

The National Assembly's Public Investment Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy has overturned the Treasury's earlier decision to pause the ongoing process, which was initially initiated three years ago. The Registrar is now granted 60 days to complete the dissolution. Moreover, the committee has proposed a transformation of the institution into a directorate within the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), considering that the CBK presently possesses and manages all its assets and liabilities. In 2020, the Registrar published a Gazette notice outlining its intention to liquidate the organization.

“Pursuant to section 897 (3) of the Companies Act, it is notified that at the expiration of three (3) months from the date of this gazette, the names of the under-mentioned companies shall, unless a cause is shown to the contrary, be struck off the register of companies and the companies shall be dissolved,” read the notice by the then Registrar of Companies Alice Mwendwa.