The Federal Government has announced that a nationwide crackdown on fake academic certificates will begin on October 6, 2025, with all institutions and agencies mandated to adopt a new digital verification system.
The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, dated August 8 but made public on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to Akume, all Ministries, Departments, Agencies, as well as public and private higher institutions, are required to verify the academic credentials of both current and prospective staff through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) under the National Education Repository and Databank, programme.
“Effective from October 6, 2025, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as higher institutions in Nigeria—civilian, military, private or public—are to commence an intensive and structured verification of the academic credentials of all staff and intending staff through the National Credential Verification Service of the NERD programme,” Akume stated.
He explained that no appointment would be confirmed without clearance from the NCVS, which validates the authenticity of every certificate.
“This clearance affirms the authenticity of each academic credential presented anywhere within the Federal Republic of Nigeria before confirming appointment,” he added.
Akume noted that the reform is aimed at curbing academic fraud and ensuring all certificates are “identifiable, traceable, verifiable and validated at the click of a button.”
Also speaking on the policy, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the NCVS as a quality assurance measure approved by the Federal Executive Council earlier this year.
He said it was designed to “curtail academic fraud, fake degrees and bogus honours” while restoring integrity to Nigeria’s education system.
In a related statement, Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity for NERD, confirmed that the system was fully operational and ready for deployment.
“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 further disclosed that the NERD Governing Council, chaired by the Education Minister, includes the leadership of the NUC, NBTE, NCCE, National Library, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, alongside committees of vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts.
