By Cedric Nkungula
Higher Education Minister Dr Jessie Kabwila has launched a crackdown on fake academic certificates, ordering all employers in the country to audit their employees’ qualifications.
In a statement dated March 28th 2025, Kabwila has urged all employers to conduct audits of certificates of their employees and where in doubt, contact National Council for Higher Education (NCHE, or relevant authorities for verification and action.
The statement has also directed NCHE to verify staff credentials in higher education institutions. Kabwila has since warned that institutions recognizing honorary degrees as academic qualifications will be held accountable.
Reads the statement in part, “These counterfeit credentials are a threat to the integrity of education as they undermine the value of legitimate qualifications, deceive employers, and put individuals and the society at risk.”
