- The Federal Government will begin nationwide academic credential verification for all employees and recruits in MDAs and higher institutions on October 6, 2025
- Verification will be conducted through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) under the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) programme
- Each clearance will carry a National Credential Number and security codes, ensuring all certificates are instantly traceable and verifiable
The Federal Government will from October 6, 2025, commence a nationwide verification of academic credentials for all employees and job applicants across Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as higher institutions.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and released in Abuja.
Source: Twitter
FG launches national academic verification scheme
According to the circular, the exercise will be carried out through the National Credential Verification Service, an arm of the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank programme.
The verification will cover every level of employment and must be completed before any appointment is confirmed. Akume stated that the reform is intended to authenticate qualifications and eliminate the long-standing problem of fake degrees and forged certificates in the country’s education and employment systems.
“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 but structured verification. The academic credentials of all staff and intending staff are verified through the National Credential Verification Service of the NERD program, and thereafter, ensure compliance for each new recruitment by obtaining an instant NCVS clearance,” the circular read.
Each clearance will contain a National Credential Number and other security codes to make credentials traceable and instantly verifiable. Akume described the move as a shift from the old system where institutions handled verification independently.
He said the new national framework provides a unified standard that is more difficult to compromise and will help restore confidence in Nigerian qualifications.
The NERD programme, introduced in March 2025 by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was approved by the Federal Executive Council to create a central digital repository for academic records.
FG targets fake certificates with NCVS rollout
Under the initiative, all certificates, diplomas and awards must be issued by accredited institutions and recorded in a database that allows instant validation.
Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity for the NERD programme, confirmed that the infrastructure is ready for nationwide rollout.
Source: Twitter
She urged government agencies, tertiary institutions and private organisations to register their NERD Focal Persons and Digitisation Officers to facilitate compliance.
Galadima explained that NERD serves as the federal standard for higher education digitisation and credential integrity, offering a one-stop system for authentication and data consistency.
The governing council, chaired by the Minister of Education, includes representatives of key education agencies and regulatory bodies to ensure coordination across all sectors.
NUC releases updated full list of Illegal universities
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that NUC identified 37 illegal universities operating across the country. The NUC Acting Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, said the commission has arrested some persons for operating illegal universities in Nigeria.
The NUC secretary disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) was involved in the clampdown on illegal institutions in the country
He urged parents to check the NUC’s website for illegal and legal varsities in Nigeria so as not to fail victims.
Source: Legit.ng
