By Oluwatosin Ajayi
The ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission) has uncovered and closed down 62 illegal degree-awarding institutions and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp in Nigeria.
Chairman of the body, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, made this known at a Youth Dialogue on Corruption in Tertiary Institutions organized by the ICPC in Abuja for members of anti-corruption vanguards from five tertiary institutions in the FCT.
Addressing the issue, Hannatu Mohamed, the ICPC board member in charge who represented the ICPC head, said that the commission had since prosecuted the perpetrators.
Owasnaoye said the ICPC set up the anti-corruption vanguards in schools to battle the corruption that has eaten deep into the education sector, especially in higher institutions of learning.
He stated, “The vanguards equip the student members with the capacity to develop zero tolerance for corruption and to inculcate attitudinal change among their fellow students. The vanguards also enable the students to assist the management of their various institutions to effectively reduce corruption in the education system.”
Speaking further on the issue, Owasanoye said the ICPC had also conducted a system study and review to find out what made the universities become so corrupt. He listed the menace in the university system as examination malpractices, bribery, gratification, sexual harassment and inducement, over-invoicing, over-inflation of contract values, award of contracts to oneself and cronies, sale of substandard hand-outs to students, absenteeism, admission racketeering, and certificate forgery. He also mentioned that the commission has forwarded its findings and recommended solutions to the Minister of Education for implementation.
In a keynote address, Prof. Williams Barnabas, Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, called for proper scrutiny of students entering tertiary institutions to ensure they have the right maturity and moral background and are willing to develop life skills instead of cutting corners.
Barnabas mentioned that corruption in tertiary institutions negatively affects the availability and quality of educational goods and services and has consequences on access, quality, and equity in education.
“The use of teaching time for private business, failure of teachers to plan their lessons, poor methods of evaluation, aiding and abating examination malpractices and using wrong teaching methods are seen as corruption.”
He emphasized that corruption weakens social cohesion by causing distrust in interpersonal and intergroup relationships. Speaking further, he said parents also contribute to corruption in higher institutions by bribing lecturers or buying grades to secure their children’s success.
Sharing his take on the issue, the Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, ICPC, Mr Mohammed Ashiru, said the purpose of the Abuja dialogue was to spur the youth to play their part in eradicating corruption. Ashiru stressed that ICPC had met with key stakeholders in the education sector to address this issue.
The 62 Illegal Degree-awarding Universities
1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria
2. Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology, Nkpor, Anambra State, or any of its other campuses
3. University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos, or any of its other campuses
4. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria
5. Blacksmith University, Awka or any of its other campuses
6. Volta University College, HO, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria
7. Royal University, Izhia, PO BOX 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State or any of its other campuses
8. Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi State or any of its other campuses
9. United Christian University, Macotis campus, Imo State or any of its other campuses
10. United Nigeria University College, Okija Anambra State or any of its other campuses.
11. Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its other campuses
12. UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State or any of its other campuses
13. Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos, Plateau State or any of its other campuses
14. The International University, Missouri USA, Kano and Lagos Studies Centres or any of its other campuses in Nigeria
15. Collumbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria
16. Tiu International University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria
17. Pebbles University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria
18. London External Studies, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria
19. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria
20. Lobi Business School, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its campuses in Nigeria
21. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria
22. Bolta University College, Aba or any of its campuses in Nigeria
23. JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University) Kaduna Illegal Campus
24. Westlan University, Esie Kwara State or any of its campuses in Nigeria
25. St. Andrews University College, Abuja or any of its other campuses in Nigeria
26. EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre
27. Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State or any of its other campuses in Nigeria
28. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria
29. Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria
30. Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja or any of its other campuses in Nigeria
31. Acada University, Akinlalu Oyo state or any of its other campuses in Nigeria
32. Filfom University, Mbaise, Imo State or any of its other campuses in Nigeria
33. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria
34. Atlantic Intercontinental University, Okija Anambra State
35. Open International University, Akure
36. Middle Belt University (North Central University) Otukpo
37. Leadway University, Ughelli, Delta State
38. Metro University, Dutse/Bwari Abuja
39. Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam) Ndoki, Rivers State
40. Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State
41. Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja
42. Temple University, Abuja
43. Irish University Business School, London, operating anywhere in Nigeria
44. National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State
45. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway and its annex at 41, Ikorodu road, Lagos.
46. University of Education, Wenneba Ghana operating anywhere in Nigeria
47. Cape Coast University, Ghana operating in Nigeria
48. African University Cooperative Development (AUCD) Cotonou, Benin Republic operating anywhere in Nigeria
49. Pacific Western University, Denver Colorado, Owerri Study Centre
50. Evangel University of America & Chudick Management Academic, Lagos
51. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko Campus)
52. Career Light Resources Centre, Jos
53. University of West Africa, Kwali-Abuja, FCT
54. Coastal University, Iba Oku, Akwa Ibom State
55. Kaduna Business School, Kaduna
56. Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger State
57. West African Union University, in collaboration with International Professional College of Administration, Science and Technology, Nigeria, operating anywhere in Nigeria
58. Gospel Missionary Foundation (GMF), Theological University, 165 Isolo Road, Cele Bus Stop, Egbe Ikotun, Lagos
At the moment, the 58 institutions listed above have been shut down. However, the ones listed below are under further investigation.
National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa State
North Central University, Otukpo. Benue State
Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu
Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia State.
West Coast University, Umuahia.
Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State
Volta University College, Aba, Abia State.
Illegal Satellite Campuses of Ambrose Alli University.
LIFE Leadership University, Benin City, Edo State.
