Nigerian Govt Begins Termination of Civil Service Jobs Linked to Benin, Togo Degrees

The Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has commenced the termination of appointments in public and civil service for individuals who secured their positions using degrees from private universities in the Republics of Benin and Togo, starting from 2017.

A letter signed by Ibrahim A.M., Director of Human Resources Management for the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), confirmed this directive. Addressed to an NYSC staff member in Sokoto State, the letter outlined that the government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Cabinet Affairs), had instructed ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to identify and dismiss affected employees.

The letter stated:

"Management is in receipt of a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Cabinet Affairs) (Extract of the Federal Executive Council), dated 30th July, 2024, on the above subject matter, directing all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to identify and terminate the appointments of individuals employed with certificates obtained from private universities in the Republics of Benin and Togo from 2017 to date.

“It is regrettable to inform you that the ESAE University, Benin, which you attended and obtained B.A International Relations between 2014 and 2017, falls within the above-stated category.

“In compliance with the Federal Government directive on the above, your appointment as Admin Officer II with NYSC is hereby terminated with immediate effect. You are therefore to hand over all government property in your possession to the State Coordinator before leaving.”

This development follows a January 2024 announcement by the Nigerian government, suspending the evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo. The decision stemmed from an investigative report published by Daily Nigerian, which exposed how a reporter obtained a university degree from Cotonou in just six weeks.

The Federal Ministry of Education’s statement at the time, signed by Augustina Obilor-Duru, cited concerns about the proliferation of unqualified degree holders in the Nigerian workforce. It lamented that “some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a degree with the end objective of securing graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified.”

The government emphasized that the suspension would remain in effect pending an investigation involving Nigeria’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education, as well as authorities from Benin, Togo, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

- Sahara Reporters