The Federal Government has issued a directive mandating nationwide verification of academic credentials, set to commence on October 6, 2025. This policy is aimed at curbing the rampant issue of certificate racketeering and restoring integrity to Nigeria’s education system.
The initiative, articulated in a service-wide circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and addressed to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as well as public and private tertiary institutions, mandates that every existing and prospective staff in Nigerian institutions must verify their academic credentials through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS). This service operates under the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD), a platform launched in March 2025 with the backing of the Federal Executive Council.
“The aim is to ensure that all academic credentials are traceable, verifiable, and free from fraudulent practices,” said Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education. The new policy mandates that each verified credential will receive a National Credential Number (NCN) with security codes to prevent forgeries, establishing a more robust verification process than what was previously available. This move is seen as a pivotal step in addressing the issues of fake degrees, unearned honours, and diploma mills that have tainted the Nigerian education system for years.
As the implementation date draws near, the policy has sparked varied reactions from the public. While many support the initiative, believing it will strengthen Nigeria’s education system, others express concerns over the integrity of the verification process.
In a street survey conducted by Fairview Africa, respondents expressed both optimism and skepticism.
Emmanuel, a civil servant, strongly endorsed the policy. He stated, “The policy is very good because some people are using fake certificates to get jobs, which is very bad. Those using fake certificates do not deserve the money they earn because they obtained their jobs under false pretenses. Such practices hinder Nigeria’s growth in a positive way because they perpetuate corruption from the outset.” Emmanuel further emphasized that those without proper qualifications should focus on other avenues, such as entrepreneurship, rather than resorting to fraud. “If they catch you, you’re in trouble,” he warned, stressing the long-term negative consequences of such fraudulent activities.
Jonathan, a teacher, also expressed strong support for the policy but cautioned about the potential for corruption within the verification system itself. “I strongly support the government’s certificate verification because it will help reduce the issue of falsified results. This has been a cause of substandard work and unqualified individuals occupying key positions. However, I advise the government to monitor those who will be in charge of the verification process, given the level of corruption in our country,” he said.
Jonathan’s concerns highlight a recurring issue in Nigeria: while the policy aims to eliminate fraud, the efficiency and honesty of those executing it could be undermined by the same systemic corruption the initiative seeks to combat.
The move towards a federated, centralized system of credential verification is seen as a progressive shift that could offer lasting solutions to the problems surrounding educational fraud. The NERD platform, which integrates the credentials of individuals with a unique National Credential Number (NCN) and other security measures, promises to create a transparent, digital trail for every academic achievement. This new mechanism is designed to ensure that every credential presented for employment or academic purposes is easily verifiable at the click of a button.
Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity at NERD, remarked, “By October 6, fake degrees and unearned honours will no longer slip through the cracks. Every credential presented in Nigeria must be verifiable.” According to Galadima, the strength of the new policy lies in its ability to integrate decentralized institutional databases while maintaining the autonomy of individual institutions. This is a critical development in the fight against the widespread problem of forged academic certificates, which had been largely overlooked due to weak verification processes in the past.
However, critics argue that this process could potentially create new bottlenecks, especially considering Nigeria’s often slow-moving bureaucracy. The efficiency of the verification process will largely depend on how well the various institutions implement the new system and whether those tasked with carrying out verifications can be trusted to do so impartially and without bias.
The introduction of the National Credential Verification Service is a promising development in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reform its education sector. If successfully implemented, it could significantly reduce the prevalence of certificate forgery and contribute to the restoration of integrity in educational and employment systems. However, as with many reforms in Nigeria, its success will depend not only on the strength of the policy but on its execution at the grassroots level.
Ultimately, while the government’s efforts to tackle certificate fraud through this new policy are commendable, ensuring the accountability of those involved in the verification process remains a crucial challenge. Only time will tell if this reform will achieve its full potential in shaping a more trustworthy educational landscape in Nigeria.
