The House of Representatives has authorised a decade-long security cover for journalist Umar Audu, following his explosive report that unveiled a thriving market for fake degrees in the Benin Republic.
Audu’s undercover work revealed a network helping Nigerians acquire bogus university certificates, which are then wrongfully approved by various government bodies, including the Ministry of Education.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, multiple House Committees, covering Universities, Polytechnics, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Youth Development, are actively investigating the revelations.
Committee Chairman Abubakar Fulata announced the resolution, urging the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to provide long-term protection for Audu.
“We commend his bravery and ask the Interior Minister to ensure Civil Defence collaborates with the police in securing him,” Fulata said.
Audu, speaking before the investigative panel, described how he obtained a degree from a Beninese university without attending any lectures and later got it authenticated by the education ministry for N40,000.
Reacting to the scandal, Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo proposed a centralised digital verification system to combat certificate fraud, while clarifying that the wrongdoing did not occur under the current government. He also issued an apology to Nigerians.
Representing Education Minister Olatunji Alausa, Mrs. Larai Ahmed said the unit that approved Audu’s forged certificate had been revamped, and stricter protocols were now in place.
NYSC Director-General Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu added that the corps had implemented biometric checks to verify academic records, expressing regret over the lapses and confirming that corrective measures were being enforced.
The House vowed to complete its inquiry and introduce robust reforms to uphold the credibility of Nigeria’s education sector.