In a startling revelation, undercover journalist Umar Audu, associated with Daily Nigerian, has exposed the astonishing ease with which he acquired a fraudulent degree certificate from a Cotonou-based university in Benin Republic.
Audu’s exposé, documented in an investigative report titled ‘How Daily Nigerian Reporter Bagged Cotonou Varsity Degree in 6 Weeks,’ sheds light on a burgeoning certificate racketeering syndicate operating in Benin Republic and Togo.
The clandestine operation, specializing in selling university degrees to willing buyers in Nigeria, delivered Audu’s certificate with remarkable efficiency, akin to ordering a pizza.
In just six weeks, the journalist received his degree certificate after making the required payment, revealing a disconcerting flaw in the educational system.
Motivated by the alarming ease of the process, Audu shared his investigative journey on Channels Television, stating, “This certificate will be delivered to you just like you ordered for a pizza or something, and you give them your location, and it is delivered to you.”
His words underscore the urgency and gravity of the situation, prompting him to delve into this investigation.
Recalling a similar expose in 2018 that led to certain decisions by the Federal Government, Audu expressed disappointment that the fraudulent practice persists despite government pronouncements.
The journalist’s latest revelation further highlights the resilience of illicit activities within the realm of certificate racketeering.
Audu’s acquired certificate and transcript boasted the authentic scan code of Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT), adding an additional layer of sophistication to the fraudulent operation.
Notably, Audu managed to obtain these counterfeit documents without leaving the country, emphasizing the far-reaching implications of the diploma racket.
In a stunning revelation, Audu disclosed that he used the same fake university certificate to successfully file and participate in the compulsory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program without detection. This revelation poses a serious challenge to the integrity of educational credentials and calls for urgent measures to address the vulnerabilities exploited by such fraudulent practices.
As Audu’s exposé sends shockwaves through the educational landscape, authorities are faced with the critical task of dismantling the certificate racketeering syndicate and fortifying measures to safeguard the credibility of academic credentials in the region.
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