The Federal Government has announced that it will begin a nationwide enforcement of the National Policy for the Nigerian Education Repository and Databank (NERD) to combat academic fraud and fake certificates.
The enforcement, scheduled to take effect from October 6, 2025, mandates all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and higher institutions in Nigeria to adopt a structured verification process for academic credentials through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) under the NERD programme.
In a circular dated August 8 and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the government stressed that no appointment—public or private—will be confirmed without NCVS clearance affirming the authenticity of academic qualifications.
Akume explained that the reform requires every certificate, diploma, or award presented in Nigeria to be earned from an accredited institution and traceable, verifiable, and validated instantly.
He said,
“Effective from October 6, 2025, all Ministries, Departments, Agencies, as well as all higher institutions in Nigeria—whether civilian, military, private, or public—are to commence intensive yet structured verification of the academic credentials of all staff and intending staff through the NCVS under the NERD programme. Thereafter, compliance must be ensured for each new recruitment by obtaining instant NCVS clearance.”
Each clearance will carry a National Credential Number (NCN) with ancillary security codes for record purposes.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who earlier introduced the NCVS following Federal Executive Council approval, described the initiative as a systemic quality assurance mechanism to curb academic fraud, fake degrees, and unearned honours.
In a statement, Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity for NERD, confirmed that the system is ready for nationwide deployment. She urged MDAs, post-secondary schools, tertiary institutions, and the private sector to register their NERD Focal Persons and Digitisation Officers through the agency’s website.
Galadima emphasized that NERD is Nigeria’s official one-stop shop for academic data consistency, designed to protect national security, safeguard education integrity, and boost the global competitiveness of Nigerian qualifications.
The NERD Governing Council, chaired by the Minister of Education, also includes the leadership of the NUC, NBTE, NCCE, National Library, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, as well as committees of vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts across the country.
