Blacklisted Benin Republic universities use Nigerian polytechnics to circumvent NYSC ban

‎Some blacklisted universities in the Benin Republic have reportedly collaborated with certain Nigerian private polytechnics to enable their graduates to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), a practice officially banned by the federal government of Nigeria.
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‎This scheme is affecting graduates eager to complete their mandatory national service despite the suspension of accreditation for their foreign degrees.
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‎Following the 2024 suspension by the Nigerian Ministry of Education of degree accreditation from over 45 universities in Benin Republic and Togo, a new avenue emerged for affected graduates.
‎Instead of being barred, they now obtain Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Diploma (ND) certificates from private Nigerian polytechnics, which then mobilise the graduates for NYSC enrolment. Graduates pay substantial fees, sometimes as high as N400,000, for this pathway.
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‎The collusion reportedly involves fabricating matriculation details and CGPAs to produce valid Nigerian polytechnic certificates to meet NYSC criteria.
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‎The alleged collaboration between blacklisted Benin Republic universities and Nigerian private polytechnics shows the challenges in regulating foreign degree recognition and combating certificate fraud. The Nigerian government insists on stringent measures and invites evidence to investigate these claims. Meanwhile, affected graduates await clarity on policies that impact their service obligations and career prospects, stressing the need for transparent and fair educational governance in the region.