In a bold move to combat the proliferation of fake degrees, the Nigerian government has slammed the brakes on 18 foreign universities operating illegally within the country’s borders. Branded as “degree mills” by the National Universities Commission (NUC), these institutions, five from the United States, six from the United Kingdom, and three from Ghana, have been ordered to cease operations immediately.
The sweeping directive comes paired with a temporary suspension of degree evaluation and accreditation for certificates issued by the Republic of Benin and Togo.
This move underscores a wider concern about the integrity of foreign qualifications, prompting closer scrutiny of educational standards across borders.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) issued a statement on its website confirming the nationwide ban on these institutions. It emphasized that they lack proper licensing and operate illegally within Nigeria.
It stated, “The National Universities Commission wishes to announce to the general public, especially parents and prospective undergraduates that the under-listed “degree mills” have not been licensed by the Federal Government and have therefore been closed down for violating the Education (National Minimum Standards, etc.) Act of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“The affected schools are the University of Applied Sciences & Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; the International University, Missouri, USA, Kano, and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria and the Collumbus University, United Kingdom operating anywhere in Nigeria.”
The list also included Tiu International University, UK; Pebbles University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria; West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria; EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja, Lagos Study Centre and Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
Others are Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria; Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria; University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria; African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre and Evangel University of America & Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.
