Civil Servants with Foreign Degrees: FG Reacts to Rumors of Widespread Sackings

Reports of impending dismissals of federal civil servants with degrees from unaccredited universities in Benin Republic and Togo have sparked anxiety among workers. Concerns escalated after former Senator Shehu Sani claimed on social media that the government had begun sacking employees with such qualifications. Sani urged the government to reconsider, suggesting an alternative pathway for those affected to obtain recognized degrees through Nigeria’s open university system.

The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), however, has denied the allegations, describing them as baseless. Taiwo Hassan, Head of Press and Media Relations at the Commission, clarified that no such disengagements had been approved or implemented. He explained that any dismissal recommendation must follow established procedures, including formal reviews and opportunities for the individuals involved to respond. Hassan emphasized that, as of now, there had been no directive for any mass sackings. He reiterated that disengagements are not conducted in secrecy, adding that the Commission remains transparent in all employment-related actions.

These developments come in the wake of an earlier investigation into the proliferation of fake degrees issued by unaccredited institutions in Benin Republic and Togo. A panel set up by former Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman reported that over 22,000 Nigerians obtained fraudulent certificates from such institutions between 2019 and 2023. The panel found that many recipients used these certificates to secure employment in government and private organizations. Some bypassed mandatory programs like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to evade detection.

Mamman criticized the affected institutions for lacking accreditation to offer degree programs and expressed concern that many Nigerians knowingly pursued education in these unapproved universities. He also noted that some individuals never physically attended the schools in question, further raising questions about the validity of their qualifications. A circular from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation is reportedly being prepared to facilitate the identification and prosecution of those using fraudulent degrees.

Despite the heightened anxiety among civil servants, the FCSC has reassured workers that no mass sackings have been authorized. The Commission called for calm, maintaining that it remains committed to upholding due process and ensuring transparency in addressing any issues related to employment and qualifications. Observers continue to call for stricter oversight to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s public service recruitment processes.