Reps summon private varsities’ VCs over allegation of awarding unmerited Degrees

By Christiana Ekpa

The Joint House Committee investigating the alleged cases of certificate racketeering has summoned the Vice Chancellors of Igbinedion University, Edo State, Babcock University, Inishan Remo, Ogun State, and Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, Kwara State, for an investigative hearing on June 2.

Other private universities whose vice chancellors were invited for the investigative public hearing include Vice Chancellor of Trinity University, Ogun State, Wesley University, Ondo State, Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers State, Elrazi Medical University, Kano State, Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State and Venite University, Iloro, Ekiti State, among others.

Chairman of the committee, Abubakar Fulata, in a statement yesterday said the appearance of the vice chancellors is necessary in view of allegations that some private universities are certificate mills.

According to Fulata, the House through a resolution mandated the committee to carry out investigation into alleged certificates racketeering after the testimony of an investigative journalist that he got a Degree certificate from a university in Benin Republic within six months instead of four years and was also mobilised for the National Youth Service, (NYSC), even when he had already served in 2019.

Fulata stated that some heads of MDAs, including the Ministry of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Director General, NYSC, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, (NUC) among others, had appeared and made their submissions to the committee.

The lawmaker said the act of illicitly getting a degree certificate is not only illegal but very dangerous to the wellbeing of citizens and the socio-economic development of the country, noting that the committee would do whatever is within its power to rid the universities of illicit and sharp practices.