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Blacklisted Benin universities allegedly use Nigerian polytechnics to get graduates into NYSC.
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Students reportedly pay up to N500,000 for fake ND and HND certificates.
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Government agencies deny awareness, claiming mobilisation systems are now digitalised.
An investigation has uncovered how some blacklisted universities in the Benin Republic are collaborating with certain private polytechnics in Nigeria to illegally mobilise their graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that findings revealed that the affected universities obtain Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Diploma (ND) certificates for their graduates through these polytechnics, which then process their mobilisation for NYSC. Each student reportedly pays between N400,000 and N500,000 for the fraudulent service.
In 2024, the Federal Government suspended accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo after an undercover report exposed how a journalist obtained a degree in just six weeks and participated in NYSC. Since then, some of the banned institutions have turned to Nigerian polytechnics to bypass the restriction.
A graduate of Esfam-Benin University confirmed that his academic records were sent to a private polytechnic in Nigeria for processing, adding that two of his classmates had already been mobilised for NYSC. Another graduate revealed that school officials introduced the “package” immediately after the government’s ban, directing students to pay for new ND and HND certificates from polytechnics in Abia and Ekiti states.
A senior administrator in Porto Novo admitted that Nigerian polytechnics issue new certificates to Benin graduates after receiving payments and transcripts. These certificates are then used to process NYSC mobilisation.
However, the NYSC and the Federal Ministry of Education denied knowledge of such operations. NYSC spokesperson, Carol Embu, said foreign graduates are cleared by the Ministry of Education, while ministry spokesperson, Folashade Omoboriowo, insisted that the portal used for NYSC mobilisation is now fully digitalised, making such manipulation impossible.
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