Federal Government mandates nationwide academic credential verification as part of sweeping education reforms to combat certificate fraud
The Federal Government has issued a directive requiring all public and private institutions to commence mandatory verification of academic credentials from October 6, 2025, in a decisive move to eliminate certificate racketeering across Nigeria’s education system.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, signed the service-wide circular addressed to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), alongside tertiary institutions nationwide. The enforcement mechanism operates through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) under the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD).
The new policy requires both existing and prospective employees in public and private sectors to obtain NCVS clearance before appointment confirmation. Each verified credential receives a National Credential Number (NCN) with embedded security codes ensuring complete traceability and authenticity verification.
Government sources indicate the centralised quality assurance system represents a fundamental departure from previous interventions, establishing independence from individual institutional oversight. The initiative derives legal authority from Section 10(1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act 1985.
Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, launched the NCVS in March 2025 following Federal Executive Council approval. During the launch, Alausa described the policy as “a decisive move to end fake degrees, phoney honours, and diploma mills undermining Nigeria’s education credibility.”
Ms Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity at NERD, confirmed operational readiness of all verification services in a Wednesday statement. She urged MDAs, tertiary institutions, and private employers to register their focal persons and records officers through the designated onboarding portal.
“NERD is a federation initiative and the nation’s standard for higher education digitisation,” Galadima stated. “It is designed to protect national security, safeguard education integrity, and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s academic system.”
NERD administers unique identification systems including the National Student Number (NSN), National Credential Number (NCN), and National Document Number (NDN), enabling instant certificate authentication. These identifiers contribute to a comprehensive National Database of Resource Persons.
“By October 6, fake degrees and unearned honours will no longer slip through the cracks. Every credential presented in Nigeria must be verifiable at the click of a button,” Galadima emphasised.
The NERD Governing Council operates under the Minister of Education’s chairmanship, incorporating representatives from the National Universities Commission, National Board for Technical Education, National Commission for Colleges of Education, Committee of Vice Chancellors, Committee of Rectors, Committee of Provosts, National Library, and Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
Galadima highlighted the policy’s strength in linking decentralised institutional databases whilst preserving institutional autonomy. She noted that fraudulent certificates previously flourished due to compromised verification processes.
“This reform is jointly owned by all tertiary institutions and regulatory agencies,” she explained. “It provides a one-stop platform that ensures every academic credential is both authentic and digitally traceable.”
