Fake Certificate Clampdown: FG orders full verification of academic credentials
The Federal Government of Nigeria has escalated efforts to curb certificate fraud, issuing a nationwide enforcement deadline for all agencies and institutions to verify academic credentials.
A service-wide circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, dated 8 August 2025, signals the shift.
Effective 6 October 2025, the circular mandates that every Ministry, Department, and Agency (MDA), along with public, private, military and civilian tertiary institutions, must begin full implementation of academic credential verification.
From that date forward, any new recruitment must include an instant clearance via the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS), part of the National Education Repository and Databank (NERD).
Further, the NCVS clearance is to become part of the official documentation for all staff.
READ ALSO: Tinubu terminates appointments of civil servants with degree certificates from Togo, Benin
Each certified credential will be assigned a National Credential Number (NCN) and security codes to ensure traceability, authenticity, and digital verifiability.
The reforms mark a departure from previous practices where agencies or institutions largely policed themselves. This new regime establishes a central verification standard beyond individual entities.
The legal basis for the directive is anchored in Section 10(1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act 1985.
NERD was proposed by the National Universities Commission in May 2023, and the NCVS became operational following a presidential approval of its enabling policy in early 2025.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, had spearheaded the push, framing the NCVS as a tool to combat merchants of fake degrees, qualification fraud, and unearned honours.
READ ALSO: LG chairman lands in court for certificate forgery
Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity for NERD, confirmed that the systems are ready for deployment.
She has called on tertiary institutions, MDAs, and the private sector to onboard their NERD Focal Persons, Record and Digitization Officers via the NERD portal.
Under the system, each authentic academic award or honour from accredited institutions will be identifiable, verifiable, and traceable with a click.
Galadima noted that prior credential fraud persists because many believe detection is cumbersome; the NCVS aims to make verification swift and inevitable.
NERD will also host the National Database of Resource Persons, ensuring that legitimate credentials are instantly cross-checked against the national registry.
READ ALSO: Investigative journalist to get 10-year protection after fake degrees exposè
Though systems remain decentralized, NERD functions as an interconnection tool to synchronize disparate data platforms.
NERD’s governing council encompasses key stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, data privacy authorities, and heads of tertiary institutions.
The council is chaired by the Minister of Education and includes representatives from NUC, NBTE, NCCE, Committee of Vice-Chancellors, and others.
Going forward, no certificate, diploma, or award will be accepted as valid unless it passes the NCVS verification process.
This move is intended to safeguard academic integrity, bolster national security, and enhance Nigeria’s educational reputation on the global stage.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
