Certificate Scandal: Buhari’s WTO Ambassador Adamu Abdulhamid’s UK Degree Fake
Nigeria’s newly appointed ambassador to the World Trade Organisation, Adamu Abdulhamid, did not obtain a master’s degree in Business Management and Leadership from London Graduate School, UK, as claimed, the institution has told newsmen.
Mr Adamu was said to have an Msc. in Economics and International Development from Clermont Ferrand University, France, a master’s degree in Business Management and Leadership from London Graduate School, UK, and a Doctorate of International Relations and Economic Diplomacy from the Commonwealth University, UK.
But London Graduate School confirmed to Peoples Gazette that he did not graduate from the institution and was never a student.
“The individual you mention (sic) is not known to us and has not been a student with us at any time,” the institution said in an email.
It also stated that students are not directly admitted into the institution, as it lacks degree awarding powers.
“London Graduate School is the delivery arm of OTHM Qualifications, a UK regulated awarding body and as such we do not take students directly. We do not have degree awarding powers however we provide Top up Degrees validated and awarded by our partner, University of Chichester as published on the University website,” the institution added.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday approved the appointment of Mr Adamu who was the Acting Head, Chargé d’ Affaires of Nigeria Trade Office to the WTO, Geneva, Switzerland.
The appointment was contained in a letter sent by the Office of the Chief-of-Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, to the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo.
“The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the appointment Dr. Adamu Mohammed Abdulhamid, as the new Nigeria’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, Geneva Switzerland for a period of four years,” the statement partly read.
Mr Abdulhamid joined the Nigerian civil service years ago and has risen to the directorate level. He has been operating as Nigeria’s charge d’affaires at WTO after being posted by the federal trade ministry in Abuja until his nomination as full ambassador by Mr Buhari.
Many prominent persons have been involved in certificate alteration and forgery which has somewhat become a norm in struggles to hold public offices.
Among those who have been embroiled in certificate forgery which is a criminal act are former finance minister Kemi Adeosun, the Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Okoi Obono-Obla, and former Speaker Salisu Buhari.
