The Federal Government has stepped up its crackdown on certificate racketeering and academic fraud, directing that nationwide verification of academic credentials will commence on October 6, 2025.
The directive, issued in a service-wide circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, requires all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), along with public and private higher institutions, to implement mandatory credential checks under the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD).
This policy establishes that all existing and intending staff must obtain clearance through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) before their appointments can be confirmed. Every clearance will feature a National Credential Number (NCN) and security codes, ensuring all verified certificates, diplomas, and awards are traceable and instantly verifiable.
This reform marks a departure from previous interventions by creating a system-wide quality assurance scheme independent of any single institution. The NCVS, formally launched in March 2025 by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was approved by the Federal Executive Council as a decisive move to curb fake degrees and “diploma mill” practices undermining Nigeria’s education integrity.
Ms. Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity for NERD, confirmed that all services are operational 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 emphasized.
The NERD system is designed to protect national security, safeguard education integrity, and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s academic system by creating a federated, one-stop digital platform that links decentralised institutional databases.
