The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of Nigeria has officially launched an investigation into the alleged six-week degree awarding practices of a university in Cotonou, Benin Republic, where many Nigerians reportedly obtained their degrees.
According to Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, the spokesperson for ICPC, the chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, convened a crucial meeting with an undercover reporter who exposed the degree scandal. The objective of the meeting was to verify details, move beyond speculation, and deepen the investigation to take the necessary actions.
The investigation focuses on the Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT) in Cotonou, where degrees are allegedly awarded in as little as six weeks, bypassing standard academic procedures such as application, registration, coursework, and examinations.
Mrs. Ogugua stated that the ICPC will collaborate with relevant domestic and international bodies to assess the legitimacy of academic qualifications obtained from overseas institutions, especially those mentioned in the investigative report.
The Commission called on stakeholders in the educational and governmental sectors to join forces in ensuring the credibility of educational qualifications and preventing corruption in the system.