House of Representatives Approves 10-Year Security Protection for Journalist Who Exposed Benin Republic Degree Scam

In a landmark move to safeguard press freedom and investigative journalism, Nigeria’s House of Representatives has approved a 10-year security protection plan for Umar Audu, the investigative journalist who uncovered a widespread degree fraud scheme involving universities in the Benin Republic.

Audu, a reporter with Daily Nigerian, gained national attention after his undercover investigation revealed how he obtained a degree from Ecole Supérieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT) in Cotonou within six weeks without attending classes or taking exams. He subsequently used the certificate to enroll in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), exposing significant lapses in Nigeria’s academic verification systems.

Following the exposé, Audu expressed concerns for his safety, citing fears of retaliation from individuals implicated in the scandal. He disclosed that he had gone into hiding to protect himself.

In response, the House of Representatives passed a resolution mandating federal security agencies to provide Audu with 24-hour protection for the next decade. The motion, sponsored by Rep. Adebayo Balogun (APC, Lagos), emphasized the need to protect journalists who risk their lives to expose corruption and safeguard national integrity.

The resolution also commended Audu’s bravery and urged the federal government to recognize his contribution to national development. It called on the Ministry of Information and Culture to initiate a public awareness campaign highlighting the dangers of degree fraud and the importance of authentic educational qualifications.

The House further directed the Ministry of Education to expedite its investigation into the accreditation processes of foreign universities and to collaborate with international bodies to prevent future occurrences of such fraudulent activities.

This development underscores the critical role of investigative journalism in promoting transparency and accountability, and the government’s commitment to protecting those who uphold these values.