Federal Government Moves Against Forged Certificates, Issues Enforcement Timeline

The Federal Government has announced the commencement of a nationwide enforcement of the National Policy for the Nigerian Education Repository and Databank (NERD) on academic credential verification. The enforcement is set to begin on October 6, 2025.

In a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on August 8 and released in Abuja on Wednesday, all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and higher institutions across Nigeria were directed to adopt a structured verification system for the academic credentials of both current and prospective staff.

The process will be carried out through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) under the NERD programme. Akume emphasized that no appointment will be confirmed without NCVS clearance, which affirms the authenticity of academic qualifications presented.

“Effective from October 6, 2025, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as all higher institutions in Nigeria, whether civilian, military, private, or public, are to commence the implementation of an intensive yet structured verification of the academic credentials of all staff and intending staff through the National Credential Verification Service of the NERD programme, and thereafter ensure compliance for each new recruitment by obtaining instant NCVS clearance. This clearance affirms the authenticity of each academic credential presented anywhere within the Federal Republic of Nigeria before confirming appointment,” Akume stated.

Each clearance will include a National Credential Number and unique security codes for record-keeping. The reform requires that every certificate, diploma, or award presented in Nigeria be issued by an accredited institution and remain traceable, verifiable, and validated instantly.

The initiative eliminates the previous reliance on institutions for credential verification, embedding a national quality assurance framework insulated from compromise. The policy derives its mandate from Section 10(1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, 1985, with NERD designated as the enforcement authority. NERD was initially proposed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in May 2023.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who introduced the NCVS in March after Federal Executive Council approval, described the scheme as a systemic quality assurance measure to curb academic fraud, fake degrees, and unearned honours.

Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity for NERD, confirmed that the agency is ready for nationwide rollout. She urged MDAs, post-secondary institutions, tertiary institutions, and private sector organisations to register their NERD Focal Persons and Digitisation Officers via the agency’s website.

“NERD is a federation initiative and the federal standard for higher education digitisation, designed to protect national security and prestige, ensure education integrity, and digitally enhance the economic value of Nigeria’s education for global competitiveness,” Galadima said.

She added that NERD’s responsibilities also cover administration of the National School Number (NSN), National Credential Number (NCN), and National Document Number, alongside maintaining a National Database of Resource Persons for instant verification of genuine honours.

“The Federal Government has created the nation’s official one-stop shop for data consistency. Each system remains autonomous; NERD facilitates organic cooperation and coordination of decentralised systems in the national interest,” she explained.

Galadima further disclosed that the NERD Governing Council, chaired by the Minister of Education, comprises the leadership of the NUC, NBTE, NCCE, National Library, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, as well as committees of vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts nationwide.