The Federal Government has invited memoranda from the public as it begins the probe of private universities established in the last 15 years.

The Federal Government initiated the probe following an investigative report uncovering certificate racketeering in neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo.

Checks by newsmen showed that no fewer than 107 private universities were established in the last 15 years.

The Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling set up by the Federal Government would be examining whether or not private universities established in the last 15 years have in place prescribed facilities, appropriate management structure, adequate funding of programmes, requisite state, and nature of the staff – full-time, contract, adjunct, visiting and other types.

The committee, in an advertorial published in national dailies noted that the probe was without prejudice to the periodic accreditation exercise of the National Universities Commission.