The House of Representatives has approved a 10-year security protection plan for investigative journalist Umar Audu following his explosive undercover report exposing rampant certificate fraud in the Benin Republic.
Audu’s investigation revealed a well-organized syndicate enabling Nigerians to obtain university degrees without academic effort—certificates which were subsequently validated by some government bodies, including the Ministry of Education.
In response, the House’s joint committees on University, Polytechnic, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Youth Development launched a formal probe into the scandal.
Rep. Abubakar Fulata, chairman of the committee, made the announcement on Monday. He instructed the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to ensure Audu’s safety for the next decade. “We are grateful to Audu for his courage. We urge the Minister of Interior to ensure that the Civil Defence provides the required support alongside the police,” Fulata said.
During his testimony, Audu described how he obtained a degree from a Benin Republic university without attending classes. He further disclosed that the Nigerian Ministry of Education validated the certificate for a fee of N40,000.
Reacting to the revelations, Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo called for a centralised, automated platform to verify foreign academic credentials and prevent further abuses. He emphasized that the breach occurred before the current administration and offered apologies to Nigerians for the oversight.
Representing the Minister of Education, Director Larai Ahmed disclosed that the department involved in the clearance has been restructured and stronger systems are being put in place.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, noted that the corps has adopted biometric verification for validating academic records submitted by prospective corps members. “Our verification system is now stronger, and we have initiated reforms to prevent any recurrence,” Nafiu said.
The House reaffirmed its commitment to a thorough investigation and pledged to implement meaningful reforms to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s education and civil service systems.
What you should know
Umar Audu’s undercover report led to a major investigation into certificate fraud, prompting the Nigerian House of Representatives to grant him 10 years of state-backed protection and initiate sweeping reforms to safeguard educational integrity.
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