The federal government has announced a nationwide enforcement of the national policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank on academic credential verification.

This enforcement is scheduled to take effect on October 6. This was disclosed in a circular by the secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume, dated August 8, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Akume directed all ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as all higher institutions in Nigeria, to commence the implementation of a structured verification process for the academic credentials of all staff and prospective staff. This is to be done through the National Credential Verification Service of the NERD programme.

He added that no appointment would be confirmed without an NCVS clearance affirming the authenticity of the academic qualifications presented.

“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 programme, and thereafter, ensure compliance for each new recruitment by obtaining an instant NCVS clearance. This, affirming the authenticity of each academic credential presented anywhere within the Federal Republic of Nigeria before confirmation of appointment,” he said.

He noted that each clearance would carry a National Credential Number and ancillary security codes for record purposes.

According to him, the reform implies that every certificate, diploma, honour, or award presented in Nigeria must be earned from an accredited institution and must be identifiable, traceable, verifiable, and validated at the click of a button.

He said the move departs from the former reliance on institutions to verify credentials, stressing that the new system entrenches a national quality assurance mechanism insulated from compromise.

The policy invokes Section 10(1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, 1985, assigning enforcement responsibility to the NERD, proposed by the National Universities Commission in May 2023.

Additionally, education minister Tunji Alausa, who had earlier introduced the NCVS in March after FEC approval, described the scheme as a systemic quality assurance check to curtail academic fraud, fake degrees, and bogus honours.

In a statement, Haula Galadima, executive director of Communication and Cybersecurity for the NERD programme, confirmed that the agency’s services were ready for nationwide deployment. She urged MDAs, post-secondary schools, tertiary institutions, and the private sector to enrol their NERD Focal Persons and Digitisation Officers via the agency’s website.

“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,” Ms Galadima stated.

She added that NERD’s mandate also includes administering the NSN, NCN, and National Document Number, as well as hosting a National Database of Resource Persons for instant verification of genuine honors.

“The federal government has created the nation’s official one-stop shop for data consistency. Each system remains autonomous, NERD facilitates organic cooperation and coordination of decentralised systems in the national interest,” she explained.

Ms Galadima further disclosed that the NERD governing council, chaired by the education minister, comprises the leadership of the NUC, NBTE, NCCE, National Library, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, and the committees of vice-chancellors. Others are rectors and provosts across the country.

(NAN)