Claim: Presidential aspirant Essa Faal recently claimed in a viral video that the University of The Gambia (UTG) produces substandard graduates whose degrees are not accepted for master’s programmes in UK universities.

“We have a university whose certificates are only valued in The Gambia. If you go to England, they don’t accept the certificates for master’s programmes because the standard is low,” Faal said.

Fact-check: Several UTG alumni have refuted Faal’s claims. Nfally Fadera and Saikou Jeng, both UTG graduates who pursued master’s programmes in the UK, confirmed that their degrees were fully recognised and allowed them to continue their studies abroad. Academics also note that UTG programs are conducted in English and many alumni have demonstrated high proficiency internationally.

Verdict: False

Essa Faal’s claims are false because there is no evidence that UTG degrees are generally unaccepted in the UK or that graduates cannot write or speak English. Alumni continue to succeed in higher education and professional careers both locally and abroad.

By Adama Makasuba