The Federal Government has directed the commencement of nationwide verification of academic credentials, effective October 6, 2025, in a decisive move to clamp down on certificate racketeering and academic fraud.
The directive, contained in a service-wide circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, mandates all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as public and private higher institutions, to conduct mandatory checks under the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD).
Under the policy, all existing and prospective employees must obtain clearance through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) before their appointments can be confirmed. Each clearance will carry a National Credential Number (NCN) and security codes, making every verified certificate, diploma, or award traceable and instantly verifiable.
The NCVS, launched in March 2025 by Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa and approved by the Federal Executive Council, represents a system-wide quality assurance mechanism designed to curb fake degrees and “diploma mill” practices that have long undermined the integrity of Nigeria’s education sector.
Ms. Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity at NERD, confirmed that all services are active and urged employers to enrol their Focal Persons and Records Officers via ned.gov.ng/onboarding.
“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 said.
The NERD system is expected to strengthen national security, protect the credibility of education, and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness by providing a federated, one-stop digital platform linking decentralised institutional databases.