Mac-John Nwaobiala, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, has warned the public against falling prey in the hands of fraudsters and admission racketeers who exploit unsuspecting parents, sponsors into paying for admission into federal institutions and unity colleges across the country.
Nwaobiala, who spoke on the backdrop of intelligent reports received by the ministry, however, directed the public to ensure it referred to its official website www.education.gov.ng to source for the rightful information rather than falling prey in the hands of fraudsters, saying “the ministry does not charge money to offer admissions.”
He said further that the fraudsters often make inroads into some unsuspecting parents and sponsors by demanding for their phone numbers, texts, demanding particular payment before admission was processed.
“The information we got stated that they inform their people to pay into a particular account the sum of N19,750 into a specific bank account. We have communicated to relevant security agencies to keep tab on such accounts and refer back to us,” the permanent secretary said.
On the process of obtaining the scholarship award, he said: “The procedures for obtaining the scholarship awards are via on-line application followed by nationwide nomination interviews. After which the inter-ministerial committee meeting made up of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Federal Character Commission and National Planning Commission, ratifies the result.”
Further findings indicate that the Federal Scholarship Board processes three categories of awards namely: the Nigerian awards tenable in Nigeria tertiary institutions, the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) received from countries with which Nigeria has bilateral education agreements, and Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan awards made to Nigeria and reciprocal awards by Nigeria for postgraduate studies, tenable in Commonwealth countries.
Harrison Edeh
