The Joint House of Representatives Committee investigating alleged certificate racketeering has invited vice-chancellors of several private universities to appear before it over alleged sharp practices.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Abubakar Fulata, announced the invitation in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
Fulata listed the affected institutions to include: Igbinedion University, Edo; Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun and Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, Kwara.
Others are: Trinity University, Ogun; Wesley University, Ondo; Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers; Elrazi Medical University, Kano State; Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun and Venite University, Iloro, Ekiti.
Caleb University, Ikorodu, Lagos State; Obong University, Akwa-Ibom and University of Mkar, Mkar, Gboko, Benue are also expected to appear before the panel.
The invitation became necessary due to allegations that some private universities have become “certificate mills”.
Fulata said the committee would investigate these claims, following the testimony of investigative journalist Umar Audu, who allegedly obtained a degree certificate from a university in Benin Republic within six months instead of four years and was mobilised for youth service despite having previously served in 2019.
Fulata emphasised that illicitly acquiring degree certificates was not only illegal but also poses a threat to citizens’ well-being and the country’s socio-economic development.
He assured that the committee would do everything within its power to eliminate sharp practices in universities.
“The committee would do whatever within its power to clean the universities of sharp practices,” Fulata said
The vice-chancellors are expected to appear before the committee on June 2 for an investigative public hearing.
Some heads of government agencies, including Ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs, Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), have already appeared before the committee and made their submissions.
