The Federal Government has announced that beginning October 6, 2025, all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and higher institutions across Nigeria must comply with the national policy on academic credential verification under the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD).

A circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, directed all MDAs and institutions—civilian, military, public and private—to commence structured verification of staff and prospective staff credentials through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) of the NERD programme. He stressed that no appointment will be confirmed without an NCVS clearance validating the authenticity of academic qualifications presented.

Under the new system, every credential will carry a National Credential Number (NCN) and unique security codes for traceability. The reform replaces the previous practice of relying on individual institutions for verification, introducing instead a centralised national mechanism aimed at preventing compromise. “Every certificate, diploma, honour or award must now be identifiable, verifiable and validated at the click of a button,” Akume stated.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who earlier launched the NCVS after Federal Executive Council approval, said the scheme would serve as a systemic quality assurance check to curb fake degrees, academic fraud and unearned honours. Similarly, Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity for NERD, confirmed readiness for nationwide deployment and urged MDAs, tertiary institutions and the private sector to enrol NERD focal persons and digitisation officers.

She added that NERD is designed to protect national security, preserve educational integrity, and boost Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The governing council of NERD, chaired by the Minister of Education, includes the leadership of the NUC, NBTE, NCCE, National Library, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, as well as committees of vice chancellors, rectors and provosts nationwide.

With this enforcement, the government says Nigeria now has a one-stop official system to ensure the integrity and global acceptance of its academic qualifications.