The Federal Government has ordered all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), military and paramilitary bodies, as well as public and private tertiary institutions, to begin mandatory verification of staff academic credentials from October 6, 2025.
The directive, conveyed in a circular signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, makes it compulsory for every organisation to adopt the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) under the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) system.
How the Policy Works
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NERD is a centralised digital platform for storing, authenticating, and preserving academic records and certificates.
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All staff and prospective employees must have their qualifications verified through NCVS before appointment confirmation.
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Each clearance generates a National Credential Number (NCN) and unique security codes tied to verified documents.
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Organisations must submit annual NERD compliance reports by March 30 every year.
Why the Move?
The initiative is designed to fight academic fraud, restore credibility to Nigeria’s education sector, and protect national prestige.
Former Education Minister Tahir Mamman revealed that between 2019 and 2023, over 22,500 fake certificates were issued by unaccredited institutions in Benin Republic and Togo. Many holders used them to secure jobs in Nigeria.
Legal Backing
The directive draws authority from the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, 1985, and is enforced through the NERD, recommended by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Past Cases
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1999: Salisu Buhari resigned as Speaker of the House after falsifying his degree.
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2020: NECO dismissed 89 employees for fake certificates.
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2023: ICPC arraigned officers of NSCDC and FRSC over forged degrees.
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2024: JAMB uncovered 3,000 fake graduates from unaccredited institutions.
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2025: ICPC secured conviction against a FAAN staff for presenting a forged Trade Test Certificate.
Reactions
While officials insist the reform is vital to safeguarding the system, analysts warn it could trigger mass job losses in the public service, private schools, and higher institutions. Labour unions are yet to officially respond.
NERD’s Executive Director for Communication and Cybersecurity, Ms. Haula Galadima, urged all organisations to register their compliance officers via nerd.gov.ng/onboarding, stressing that “every legitimate certificate must now be identifiable, traceable, verifiable, and validatable.”
