Uganda and Kenya Demand Verification of Nigerian Students’ Records Amid Fake Degree Concerns

Examination boards in Kenya and Uganda have started requesting verification of academic records for Nigerian students seeking admission into their tertiary institutions. This was revealed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in a document released during its 2024 policy meeting.

JAMB emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria's educational system, assuring that it will not falsify any records. This development follows the Nigerian Federal Government's suspension of degree certificate verification from several countries, including Uganda and Kenya, due to concerns about certificate racketeering.

The suspension was prompted by an investigation into fake degree mills in the Benin Republic, which led to the formation of an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling. The committee's recommendations included mandatory submissions of matriculation lists by Nigerian universities to the Federal Ministry of Education, as part of efforts to combat academic fraud.

JAMB's statement highlights the increasing scrutiny Nigerian students face when applying to foreign institutions, particularly in Uganda and Kenya, as both countries now require verification of their academic records.