Nigeria shuts down 58 illegal private varsities after Cotonou certificate scam bust
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Abuja has announced the closure of 58 illegal private universities operating in Nigeria in the latest rolling consequences of the scam uncovered at a university in Cotonou, Benin Republic, where journalist Umar Audu posed undercover to obtain a degree in six weeks and took part in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
National Universities Commission (NUC) acting Executive Secretary Chris Maiyaki warned that certificates obtained from the illegal universities or their satellite campuses will not be recognised for the NYSC or employment or further studies.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is involved in the clampdown on the illegal institutions and their promoters, Maiyaki disclosed on Channels Television on Wednesday.
He counselled parents and guardians to check the NUC website for legal and illegal universities in Nigeria to prevent their children and wards falling victims to quack schools.
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Illegal institutions as “degree mills”
A statement signed by Maiyaki which listed the fake universities said other nine institutions/campuses that are “Degree Mills” are undergoing further investigations and/or ongoing court actions.
He explained the purpose of the actions is to prosecute the proprietors and recover illegal fees and charges paid by subscribers.
According to him, the alleged “Degree Mills” being investigated are:
1. National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa State.
2. North Central University, Otukpo, Benue State.
3. Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu.
4. Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia State.
5. West Coast University, Umuahia.
6. Saint Clements University, lyin Ekiti, Ekiti State.
7. Volta University College, Aba, Abia State.
8. Illegal Satellite Campuses of Ambrose Alli University.
9. L.I.F.E Leadership University, Benin City, Edo State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, anybody who patronises or obtains any certificate from any of these illegal institutions does so at his or her own risk.
“Certificates obtained from these sources will not be recognised for the purposes of NYSC, employment, and further studies,” Maiyaki warned.in the statement.
He gave the full list of the 58 illegal universities/campuses as follows:
1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
2. Christians of Charity American University of Science & Technology, Nkpor, Anambra State or any ofits other campuses.
3. University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos or any of its other campuses.
4. University of Applied Sciences & 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, P.O. Box 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State or any ofits 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 LagosStudy Centres, or any of its 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 IllegalCampus.
24. Westlan University, Esie, Kwara State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
25. St. Andrews University College, Abuja or any of its 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 campuses in Nigeria.
28. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its 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 campuses in Nigeria.
31. Acada University, Akinlalu, Oyo State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
32. Fifom University, Mbaise, Imo State or any of its 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, Benue State.
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, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
47. Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
48. African University Cooperative Development (AUCD), Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
49. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study.
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 Iselo road, Cele bus stop, Egbe-Ikotun, Lagos.