The Nigerian government has dismissed federal staff who obtained degrees from universities in the Benin Republic, according to former lawmaker and activist Shehu Sani.

In a statement shared on his official X account, Sani expressed shock over the development. He wrote, “So sad to read the termination letters of some of the FG staff who graduated from the universities in Benin Republic.”

While the reason for the sack was not disclosed, it follows recent controversies over fake certificates linked to universities in the Benin Republic. Earlier this year, investigative journalist Umar Audu exposed how he purchased a degree from a Benin university for ₦600,000.

In response to the scandal, the Nigerian government suspended recognition of degrees from certain Benin universities and blacklisted 18 foreign institutions operating in Nigeria.