…Daily Nigeria Reporter Exposes Racketeering Syndicate Facilitating Swift Acquisition of Degrees and NYSC Mobilization
In a daring undercover investigation, Daily Nigeria reporter Umar Audu delves into the thriving illicit business of obtaining degrees from Cotonou universities within an astonishing six-week timeframe, shedding light on a network involved in the sale of forged certificates.
The reporter initiated contact with a syndicate specializing in the sale of degrees from neighboring countries at an ostensibly ‘affordable rate.’ Opting for the accelerated one-month option, the reporter uncovered the intricacies of the operation, revealing the ease with which one could obtain a degree without traditional academic processes.
Choosing mass communication for familiarity, the reporter received a breakdown of costs, including tuition fees, an evaluation letter, a resident permit, immigration stamps, and transportation. Making the payment on December 27, 2022, he was issued a receipt, and as promised, the degree certificate and transcript from Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT), Cotonou, Benin Republic, arrived on February 17, 2023.
However, a minor error on the transcript necessitated its return to Cotonou for correction. Despite never receiving an admission letter or details about the school, the reporter completed a purported four-year degree in under two months.
Doubts about the authenticity of the documents lingered until the discovery of a scan code on the transcript, linking to ESGT’s website. Established in 2009, the university claims accreditation from both the Benin Republic and Nigeria governments, offering over 30 courses.
Revelations suggest collusion between Nigerian racketeering agents and top ESGT management in Cotonou, with Nigerians occupying key roles. Additional payments secured the crucial evaluation letter for NYSC mobilization.
Official letters from the Federal Ministry of Education dated May 25 and 26 confirmed ESGT’s accreditation, clearing 51 graduates for NYSC participation. The ministry affirmed the equivalence of ESGT degrees to those awarded by Nigerian universities in similar fields, raising concerns about the ease with which individuals exploit this system.