The Federal Government is working with the National Youth Service Corps to deepen the digital integration of education records.

The move is aimed at tackling certificate racketeering, improving the verification of qualifications and ensuring genuine graduates are not denied opportunities.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa disclosed the plan on Tuesday during a meeting in Abuja with NYSC Director-General Brig Gen Olakunle Nafiu. He said the digital reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda are designed to close loopholes in how academic records are managed and authenticated.

Alausa explained that the Nigerian Education Repository Data Bank is already collecting and verifying university certificates while tracking learners across the education system. Discussions are also ongoing on a technical link that will allow faster verification and smoother data sharing between the ministry and the NYSC.

The minister identified challenges such as name discrepancies, issues affecting part-time National Diploma graduates and the admission of National Certificate in Education holders into Higher National Diploma programmes. He said the ministry would work with relevant agencies to introduce a national Learner Identification Number and ensure consistent recording of names across databases.

NYSC Director-General Nafiu welcomed the reforms and pledged continued support. He noted that the Corps has been digitising its operations since 2014 and that the use of technology, including QR codes, has already helped reduce document cloning within the service.

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