FG Tightens Record Verification to End Certificate Fraud
By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa
The Federal Government has launched a rigorous verification system across tertiary institutions to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s educational standards.
This initiative targets the rise of “degree mills” in neighboring West African countries that issue fraudulent certificates to Nigerians.
The new oversight will be managed through the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD). Every government agency and higher institution must now verify the credentials of all staff and new hires via the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS).
Appointments will only be confirmed after an official NCVS clearance proves a candidate’s qualifications are valid. Verified documents will receive a unique National Credential Number (NCN) and security codes, making them easily traceable and verifiable online.
This centralized approach replaces the reliance on individual schools with an independent national quality assurance system. The policy is legally grounded in the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act of 1985.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa described the scheme as a “decisive move to end the era of fake degrees and bogus honors that undermine the country’s academic standing.”
To ensure success, the government has directed all employers and organizations to immediately register their records officers on the new digital portal.
