MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has ordered the immediate closure of universities found issuing degrees to students who have not met the required academic standards. The directive comes amid growing concerns over the quality and credibility of higher education in Somalia.
“This government will not tolerate institutions that compromise academic standards for profit,” President Hassan said in a statement released Saturday. “Every student deserves a genuine education, and every degree must reflect true achievement.”
Investigations have revealed that some universities have been granting academic certificates to students who failed to meet necessary criteria, undermining the integrity of Somalia’s education system. The Ministry of Education has been tasked with identifying these institutions and ensuring compliance with both national and international academic standards.
Students and parents have welcomed the president’s decision, viewing it as a crucial step toward accountability and fairness in Somali universities. “We want degrees that reflect our hard work, not certificates bought with money,” said Amina Yusuf, a university student in Mogadishu.
Education officials say the crackdown is part of a broader reform initiative aimed at improving the quality of higher education and restoring public confidence in Somalia’s universities.
