FG gives October 6 ultimatum for nationwide clampdown on fake certificates
The Federal Government has stepped up its fight against certificate forgery and academic fraud, directing nationwide enforcement of academic credential verification from October 6, 2025.
According to a service-wide circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), as well as public and private tertiary institutions, must now implement compulsory verification under the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD).
Under the new system, all current and prospective employees are required to obtain clearance through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) before appointments can be confirmed. Each verified credential will carry a National Credential Number (NCN) and unique security codes, making every certificate, diploma, and award traceable and instantly verifiable.
This reform marks a departure from previous interventions by creating a system-wide quality assurance scheme independent of any single institution. The NCVS, formally launched in March 2025 by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was approved by the Federal Executive Council as a decisive move to curb fake degrees and “diploma mill” practices undermining Nigeria’s education integrity.
Ms. Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity for NERD, confirmed that all services are operational and urged employers to enrol their Focal Persons and Records Officers via ned.gov.ng/onboarding.
“By October 6, fake degrees and unearned honours will no longer slip through the cracks. Every credential presented in Nigeria must be verifiable at the click of a button,” Galadima emphasized.
The NERD system is designed to protect national security, safeguard education integrity, and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s academic system by creating a federated, one-stop digital platform that links decentralised institutional databases.
