Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, mandated it to review the role of any ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) or their officials in the facilitation of the recognition and procurement of fake certificates in question. 

The committee has the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Committee of Vice Chancellor of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Prof. Jibrila Amin, as the head. 

Other members are Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki; Lazarus Ikpadaba from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr Abel Olanrewaju from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Others are Omeh Nwokpoku from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Amina Lugga from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and Mrs Doam Iyortyom from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The minister, while reading the terms of reference, urged the committee to review existing policies and procedures on accreditation and certification.

He said: “The committee must also examine the rules, procedures and processes for recognition and accreditation of foreign universities and programmes by the Federal Ministry of Education.”

“Establish if unapproved foreign institutions (Degree Mills) exist or not in Nigeria in whatever form with their identities and locations if any.

“Make appropriate recommendations for review of any rules, procedures, processes to prevent re-occurrence and sanctions for identified erring officials.

“Make other recommendations that will strengthen the system of recognition, accreditations and quality assurance of degrees in Nigeria.

“Examine the extant rules, procedures and processes for granting of provisional licences to new universities by the NUC.”

The Federal Government last week announced the suspension of accreditation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.

The decision followed an investigative report titled: “How Daily Nigerian reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in six weeks.”