The Federal Government has launched strict nationwide enforcement of a new education verification policy against academic fraud.
All institutions and agencies must now use the National Credential Verification Service for checks.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a nationwide enforcement of the National Policy for the Nigerian Education Repository and Databank (NERD) to curb academic fraud and fake credentials.
The new directive, issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, mandates that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and higher institutions adopt a structured verification process for all current and prospective staff, effective October 6, 2025.
Under the policy, verification of academic qualifications will be carried out through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS), a platform developed under the NERD program.
Akume stressed that no appointment will be confirmed without an NCVS clearance, which validates the authenticity of academic certificates, diplomas, honors, or awards. Each clearance will carry a National Credential Number (NCN) and security codes for traceability.
“This reform ensures that every credential presented in Nigeria is earned from an accredited institution, identifiable, verifiable, and validated at the click of a button,” Akume said.
The initiative, backed by Section 10(1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, 1985, shifts away from relying on individual institutions for certificate verification, thereby embedding a national quality assurance mechanism that is resistant to compromise.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who introduced NCVS in March following approval by the Federal Executive Council, described the policy as a systemic safeguard against fake degrees, fraudulent awards, and bogus honors.
According to Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity at NERD, the agency is ready for nationwide deployment. She urged institutions, MDAs, and the private sector to enrol NERD Focal Persons and Digitisation Officers via the agency’s portal.
She explained that NERD will also manage the National School Number (NSN), National Credential Number (NCN), and National Document Number, while hosting a National Database of Resource Persons for instant verification of honours and qualifications.
“NERD is Nigeria’s official one-stop shop for education data consistency, designed to protect national security, enhance education integrity, and boost global competitiveness,” Galadima said.
The NERD Governing Council, chaired by the Minister of Education, comprises the NUC, NBTE, NCCE, National Library, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, and representatives from vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts nationwide.
