The Antigua and Barbuda National Accreditation Board (ABNAB) has issued an urgent public notice confirming that degrees obtained from the Atlantic International University (AIU) and CICA International University and Seminary are not recognized in Antigua and Barbuda.
The statement, released on Friday, follows what officials describe as “extensive research and consultation” with regional counterparts.
The Board emphasized that neither institution meets the country’s higher education accreditation standards.
The announcement comes amid reports that a few individuals in Antigua and Barbuda have recently graduated with degrees from these unaccredited universities.
ABNAB stressed that its primary responsibility is to safeguard the public interest and uphold the integrity of the nation’s education system. “We are committed to ensuring that all accredited institutions meet rigorous criteria that reflect both academic excellence and integrity,” the Board said.
The agency also encouraged individuals to contact its office for clarification before enrolling in any foreign or online university, noting that the rise in unaccredited institutions poses serious risks to students and employers alike.
The Board reiterated its commitment to maintaining high standards in higher education and thanked the public for its understanding and cooperation.
Well done
Why did you remove my informative comments
ABNAB could only advise but not WARN. So Antigua and Barbuda does not recognize degrees from these two-named institutions. So what? A proper research would reveal that these diplomas and degrees are recognized by some accreditation boards across the US and elsewhere. For the benefit of prospective students, ABNAB might better use their energies to explain their processes in determining which universities and colleges are worthy of their respect and recognition.
So after people done pay thousands of dollars and study for years, now ABNAB talking? Where was this warning before?
Whilst I have not seen a response yet from AIU. I have analysed thoroughly the response of CICA International.
And I have extended my legal services to thd organisation for free on the following grounds.
Misrepresentation and Procedural Irregularity
The recent public statement issued by the Antigua & Barbuda National Accreditation Board (ABNAB) dated October 25, 2025, is both procedurally defective and legally questionable in its form and effect.
The statement purports to “inform the public” that ABNAB does not recognize degrees from CICA International University & Seminary. However, CICA has never at any time applied for, requested, or pursued national accreditation under the Antigua & Barbuda framework.
Thus, ABNAB’s notice creates a false public impression that CICA sought such recognition and was denied an act of negligent misrepresentation and defamation by implication.
Under administrative law principles, a government body is bound to act:
Within its jurisdiction (ultra vires doctrine);
With procedural fairness and natural justice; and
Based on verified evidence and due process.
ABNAB failed on all three counts by:
Issuing a public statement without contacting or consulting the institution concerned;
Ignoring 21 separate submissions (including 69 attachments) made by CICA between 2021 and 2024, each containing complete verification from City & Guilds of London Institute, Ofqual, and the Florida Department of Education;
Making a declaratory statement of “non-recognition” without any legal hearing, investigation, or official correspondence, contrary to the norms of fair administrative procedure.
This action constitutes a breach of procedural propriety, amounting to administrative negligence and malicious publication under the laws of Antigua & Barbuda.
2. International Accreditation and Jurisdictional Limits
CICA International University & Seminary operates as an internationally accredited institution, recognized and verified through:
City & Guilds of London Institute (Centre No. 847894) – regulated by Ofqual (UK);
Qualification Numbers 600/6106/6, 600/6107/8, 600/6108/X, and 600/6109/1, fully listed on the UK National Qualification Framework (RQF) at Levels 4–7;
Registration in the State of Florida, USA (Document No. P13000086535), recognized under Section 1005.06(1)(f) of the Florida Statutes;
ISO and WES verification, confirming full equivalency across international education systems.
ABNAB’s statutory jurisdiction is limited to the recognition of local and foreign institutions seeking equivalency within Antigua & Barbuda’s national framework. It does not have the authority to invalidate, discredit, or pronounce on the legitimacy of institutions operating under foreign or international accreditation regimes.
To disregard internationally recognized accreditation bodies such as Ofqual (UK) or the Florida Department of Education violates Article 26 of the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications, which Antigua & Barbuda is a signatory to.
Such disregard also risks undermining reciprocal recognition, which could lead to international scrutiny and even jeopardize the recognition of degrees from Antiguan institutions abroad.
3. Legal Grounds for Action
CICA International University reserves the full legal right to pursue remedy on several grounds:
Defamation and Reputational Harm – The publication was made without verification and in reckless disregard for the truth, causing measurable economic and reputational damage locally and internationally.
Negligent Misrepresentation – ABNAB’s implication that CICA is “unrecognized” locally, without clarifying that CICA never sought such recognition, misleads the public and partners.
Breach of Natural Justice and Administrative Fairness – No notice, hearing, or correspondence was offered before publication, breaching the principles of audi alteram partem (hear the other side).
Tortious Interference – By publishing false statements, ABNAB has interfered with CICA’s legitimate contracts, partnerships, and international collaborations.
Economic Loss and Emotional Distress The publication has led to demonstrable financial and emotional harm to staff, students, and leadership.
CICA’s legal counsel is therefore reviewing the matter with a view to seeking redress for damages and injunctive relief against further defamatory publications.
4. The Broader Implication for Antigua & Barbuda
Accreditation is governed by reciprocal international policy, not isolationism.
When a national board refuses to acknowledge internationally recognized accreditations such as City & Guilds (Ofqual, UK) or Florida Department of Education, it places its own national qualifications at risk of non-recognition abroad.
International reciprocity requires mutual respect of qualification frameworks, and ABNAB’s public dismissal of foreign accreditation systems could undermine confidence in Antigua & Barbuda’s own higher education system a precedent that is academically and diplomatically dangerous.
Students who gained degrees from these two institutions all I can advise them are to seek employment in countries that would accept their degrees 🎓.
So shouldnt you ensure that the university you apply to is accredited and recognized first?
Imagine studying for years, paying tuition, and then hearing your degree isn’t recognized. That’s heartbreaking.
Why not WARN the general public not to purchase vehicles involved in Government’s under cover skull-duggery schemes while puesecuting the innocent to shield the guilty ones, rather than crucify persons who really put in the studies.
There is a saying, that a king has no true honour in his own country.
Please permit me the opportunity to congratulate all graduates of UWI both past and present, and all other colleges and universities persons have attended, whether completed online or through classroom regimes, Degree Mills or not, it shows your tenacity, discipline, courage, self-motivation, financial and time investments towards creating your brilliant minds irregards of the negative backlashes received in this state of Antigua and Barbuda by the small-minded few.
It is very obvious that the malicious and cowardly acts of those sheeply persons who are trying to blame, shame, and disguise under the tactic of using ABNAB are sadly insecure, vindictive, envious, and demonic people whose real ambitions are hidden ill-wills towards hard-working individuals in this country who do their very best with whatever little means they have to elevate themselves educationally.
In Antigua there are some “children” hiding behind the masks of grown people who have lost all sense of direction because of their past failures. Therefore, in order to feel better about themselves they target the faults of others to create what appears to be a safety-net within their pathetic existence on this earth.
Let’s dive right into the hurt feelings and burning consciences of the people who are secretly alleged to be behind this low-level theasco and senseless agenda to target and try to hurt persons who divert from the ‘norm’ of sticking to ABNAB’s antiquated and so-called safe list of “Accreditely acceptable” universities, colleges and other learning Institutions locally or internationally, while trying to ‘safely’ marginalize them from their so-called “Degree Mill Universities” worldwide.
Allegedly, the secret Cowards’ main target seemingly is Dr. Desrie Marisa Southwell, a prominent civil servant whose reputation is impeccable, and whose beauty and intelligence are reflected in her pleasant demeanor and hard-work as a civil servant for over twenty years. The PERFECT “4.0” grade point average obtained in both her Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Atlantic International University (AIU) caused them to scramble for cover. Perhaps many of her ‘secret nemases” see their back-door chances of piggy-backing their ways to the top, in comparison to her creating such a land slide margin for them to try and play catch-up to her major standards, is a slim chance for their promotion the legal and professional way, so they ran to the Establishment Department, the Public Service Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ombudsman, the Legal Department, and the final “clown arena” the Antigua and Barbuda National Accreditation Board to ‘seal-the-deal’ and have their “jokey script” PUBLISHED all over the worldwide web.
It is also alleged that Dr. Southwell submitted all her “LEGAL” documentations from AIU to the Ministry of Health, where she is currently employed, and was alleged to have mentioned in her cover letter marked out to the Chief Establishment Officer of the Establishment Department; the Permanent Secretary of the MOH; Chairman of the Public Service Commission, and the other relevant authorities, requesting that a SENIOR Permanent Secretary position be created, which is designed for Civil Servants who obtained a ‘Doctorate Degree’ in Business Management. So readers, you see why the haste now to try and stifle her in her tracks? This well orchestrated, witch/warlock counsel of ill-willed slackers created a well-designed publication that would try to marginalize and impose a delay or block on her upward mobility in the government service. Not realizing that they have just indirectly exposed those ‘hard-heads’ whose Permanent Secretary positions were either politically motivated and appointed through their friends at the PSC, their Lodge Affiliations, or their lack of proper education to up-the-rank, as some only reached the top through back-stabbing their other well-deserving co-workers, and through possessing excess years in the service even without a degree, but for greater pension calculation purposes were obliged the promotion in order that their retirement benefits would reflect the three last upgrade of salary within the government service. Did I mention, that quite a few share the same ‘famous’ last names like some of the Honourable Minister’s of government, so their perks come easy.
Coming to think of it, many of you Ministers of Government and prestiges in Antigua have been “GIVEN” out Honourary Doctorate from UWI and other learning Institutions like sweeties from a Candy Shop, that not one of you ever step one foot in the institution to learn even your names, but your ABNAB did not recognize these as degree mill tactics, and you all have the nerve to cry down persons who worked their butts off for theirs using their brains and not political affiliates. When the shoe is switched to the other foot it BURNS like hell doesn’t it?
Dr. Southwell, it seems that you are indeed a GREAT woman, that your conspirers had to build a political, and demonic army just to come after you to TRY and bring you down. You are Truly BLESSED!!!
Curiously, it is also alleged that our very own PM is now scrambling to get a higher degree through UWI, under the pretence of using our PM Scholarship programme which he alleged would be made available to the wider diaspora all of a sudden, to include even Minister’s of Government. Don’t they work for more than sufficient salaries, and getting all the free perks smothered to them and their families at the expenses of hard-working tax-payers’ with their little monies, so why rob those Civil Servants and the general public who are more needing of this assistance programme? Greed is always on their agendas. I guess Dr. Southwell’s accomplishments they secretly admired, and which motivated them to pull up their socks in fear of competition from a woman who could easily be appointed the next Prime Minister of this state, with her dust-trailing accomplishments.
Did anyone else notice that neither the PM nor the Minister of her St. John’s Rural South Constituency even publish or come on line to publicly congratulate Dr. Southwell on her major accomplishments in this state as one of their very own female Civil Servants? Makes us all wonder… Oh! I forgot, perhaps they also were eagerly waiting to see if her credentials were legit, and approved by their AB”NAB” Board of Directors (circle of friends).
Case in point, it is alleged that the Secretary to the Cabinet studied LAW in Cuba, and Antigua and Barbuda did not want to accept his credentials and gave him hell, throwing him from one Government Ministry to the next until his final rest in place at The Cab Sec. Another brilliant person is Mr. José Humphreys, whose Doctorate degree is alleged to have been obtained in Guyana or another neighbouring country, but was marginalized for his holistic, and safe medical practices that seems to go against what Antigua’s ‘standards’ did or did not accept. Mr. Dave Raye, one of our very own intelligent son of the soil was also tried to be victimized by slander that the University he also obtained his credentials was a Degree Mill. How low can these people go to try and tarnish the good reputations of our brilliant minds here in our beautiful country? So, it is only UWI that seems to sing their praises as of lates in this country? What a Low-Down dirty shame.
Open your eyes people, Antigua is still under the leadership of Britain, and that is precisely why we still have a Governor General, although bragging of “INDEPENDENCE” since 1981. Food for thought, is USA our governing body? So why the heck is AIU, and many other Universities that offer strictly on-line courses in this modern technological era are labeled by ABNAB as “Fake Universities”, especially if the educational Accreditation authorities are acceptable in the UK?
Hurt pride is still crumbling our shores in Antigua, and ignorance is riding the backs of those illiterate and appear to be ‘educated-fools’ who turn a blind eye to the truth in order to protect their crafty and wicked ambitions, which are to stifle the promotions of young innovative minds.
Old QUAKERS, please exit the government service quietly, and stop begging for additional years when your pension time come, because your delays are holding back the employment of young people who need to make their marks in this world also.
Finally, it would be remise of me not to mention that no matter how many lists will be published with the intent to name and shame their so-called “Degree Mills” the fact still remains that persons who obtained their degrees the legal way their titles can NEVER be removed.
So, Dr. Desrie M. Southwell and the other brilliant minds keep shining, and do not allow the vindictive tactics of the old billy-goat gruffs, who are afraid to see young people promoted, to rain on your parades, because the ditch they are secretly trying to dig for you all will be theirs to try and scramble out from, like crabs in a bucket, sooner rather than later.
Somebody clearly touched a nerve. Wonder who the “few individuals” are that just graduated. 👀
This is why people lose trust in online degrees. One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch.
Good move! Too many “degree mills” popping up online these days. Protecting the credibility of our education system is critical.
Twiddling D and Twiddle Dommer @ Tromoas and Lena, the nerve that will be hit soon, and the good move on the bad apples that you are referring to, Antigua and Barbuda better be careful at who they point fingers to or through shade on, because they may live to regret their arrogance and slanders, and may have to soon start writing their letters of apologies. Karma sometimes can be a real BITCH!!
With Atlantic International University’s credentials stemming over twenty years in operation, graduating hundreds of persons each year from countries around the world, to include the US, Canada , UK, Caribbean, among others, their “Degree Mill” must be doing something quite special, and having at least ninety-five precent of the faculty possessing Doctorate degrees from various parts of world. ABNAB, do your “thorough” researches, or simply remove some of the lazy Board Members off your team of evaluators, as you clearly lack the true sense of purpose.
The Institutions Should Sue:
Whilst I have not yet seen the response of AIU. I would have had tge opportunity to thoroughly reviewed the response of CICA INTERNATIONAL and seeking reaching out to extend my legal services fof FREE. On the following grounds as an International Corporate and Education Legal Council.
Misrepresentation and Procedural Irregularity
The recent public statement issued by the Antigua & Barbuda National Accreditation Board (ABNAB) dated October 25, 2025, is both procedurally defective and legally questionable in its form and effect.
The statement purports to “inform the public” that ABNAB does not recognize degrees from CICA International University & Seminary. However, CICA has never at any time applied for, requested, or pursued national accreditation under the Antigua & Barbuda framework.
Thus, ABNAB’s notice creates a false public impression that CICA sought such recognition and was denied — an act of negligent misrepresentation and defamation by implication.
Under administrative law principles, a government body is bound to act:
Within its jurisdiction (ultra vires doctrine);
With procedural fairness and natural justice; and
Based on verified evidence and due process.
ABNAB failed on all three counts by:
Issuing a public statement without contacting or consulting the institution concerned;
Ignoring 21 separate submissions (including 69 attachments) made by CICA between 2021 and 2024, each containing complete verification from City & Guilds of London Institute, Ofqual, and the Florida Department of Education;
Making a declaratory statement of “non-recognition” without any legal hearing, investigation, or official correspondence, contrary to the norms of fair administrative procedure.
This action constitutes a breach of procedural propriety, amounting to administrative negligence and malicious publication under the laws of Antigua & Barbuda.
2. International Accreditation and Jurisdictional Limits
CICA International University & Seminary operates as an internationally accredited institution, recognized and verified through:
City & Guilds of London Institute (Centre No. 847894) – regulated by Ofqual (UK);
Qualification Numbers 600/6106/6, 600/6107/8, 600/6108/X, and 600/6109/1, fully listed on the UK National Qualification Framework (RQF) at Levels 4–7;
Registration in the State of Florida, USA (Document No. P13000086535), recognized under Section 1005.06(1)(f) of the Florida Statutes;
ISO and WES verification, confirming full equivalency across international education systems.
ABNAB’s statutory jurisdiction is limited to the recognition of local and foreign institutions seeking equivalency within Antigua & Barbuda’s national framework. It does not have the authority to invalidate, discredit, or pronounce on the legitimacy of institutions operating under foreign or international accreditation regimes.
To disregard internationally recognized accreditation bodies such as Ofqual (UK) or the Florida Department of Education violates Article 26 of the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications, which Antigua & Barbuda is a signatory to.
Such disregard also risks undermining reciprocal recognition, which could lead to international scrutiny and even jeopardize the recognition of degrees from Antiguan institutions abroad.
3. Legal Grounds for Action
CICA International University reserves the full legal right to pursue remedy on several grounds:
Defamation and Reputational Harm The publication was made without verification and in reckless disregard for the truth, causing measurable economic and reputational damage locally and internationally.
Negligent Misrepresentation ABNAB’s implication that CICA is “unrecognized” locally, without clarifying that CICA never sought such recognition, misleads the public and partners.
Breach of Natural Justice and Administrative Fairness No notice, hearing, or correspondence was offered before publication, breaching the principles of audi alteram partem (hear the other side).
Tortious Interference – By publishing false statements, ABNAB has interfered with CICA’s legitimate contracts, partnerships, and international collaborations.
Economic Loss and Emotional Distress The publication has led to demonstrable financial and emotional harm to staff, students, and leadership.
CICA’s legal counsel is therefore reviewing the matter with a view to seeking redress for damages and injunctive relief against further defamatory publications.
4. The Broader Implication for Antigua & Barbuda
Accreditation is governed by reciprocal international policy, not isolationism.
When a national board refuses to acknowledge internationally recognized accreditations such as City & Guilds (Ofqual, UK) or Florida Department of Education, it places its own national qualifications at risk of non-recognition abroad.
International reciprocity requires mutual respect of qualification frameworks, and ABNAB’s public dismissal of foreign accreditation systems could undermine confidence in Antigua & Barbuda’s own higher education system a precedent that is academically and diplomatically dangerous.
ABNAB right education without proper oversight is dangerous. But they also need to be proactive, not reactive.
Honestly, AIU been controversial for years. Anyone serious about their career should’ve checked before signing up.