FG Cracks Down on Fake Certificates, Orders Nationwide Verification of Workers’ Credentials
FG Cracks Down on Fake Certificates, Orders Nationwide Verification of Workers’ Credentials
The Federal Government has moved to clamp down on certificate forgery in the public service, directing all ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), as well as military and paramilitary organisations, to commence a mandatory verification exercise of staff academic credentials beginning October 6, 2025.
The directive, contained in a circular issued to all heads of MDAs, is part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the public sector and ensure that only qualified individuals remain in government service.
The verification exercise will cover all categories of staff, from entry-level officers to senior management and uniformed personnel.
Government officials say the move was necessitated by increasing concerns over the prevalence of forged certificates among public servants, a practice which has not only undermined meritocracy but also contributed to inefficiency and corruption in the system.
According to the circular, the verification will be handled in collaboration with recognised educational institutions, examination bodies, and relevant security agencies to ensure authenticity.
Any staff member found to have presented forged or falsified academic documents will face immediate disciplinary action, including dismissal, prosecution, and recovery of salaries and benefits wrongly earned.
“This exercise is aimed at restoring integrity, professionalism, and accountability in the public service. No sector, whether civilian, military, or paramilitary, will be exempt,” a senior official in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation told reporters.
The government further assured that the exercise will be conducted in phases to minimise disruption to public service delivery, while urging workers to cooperate fully and present genuine documentation for verification.
Analysts note that the move could serve as a major litmus test for the administration’s anti-corruption drive, particularly as previous attempts at similar reforms were either poorly implemented or stalled by resistance within the system.
Civil society groups have welcomed the decision but called on the government to ensure transparency and fairness in the process, warning against selective enforcement or victimisation.
With the October 6 deadline fast approaching, MDAs across the country are expected to roll out internal modalities for the verification exercise, which is likely to affect millions of civil servants nationwide.
