THE Federal Government has intensified efforts to combat certificate fraud by tightening the verification of academic records across tertiary institutions, as part of a broader reform initiative aimed at strengthening the credibility and integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
News Point Nigeria reports that the move follows growing concerns over reports that some Nigerians obtained questionable degrees from unaccredited institutions abroad, raising doubts about the authenticity of certain academic qualifications used for employment and career advancement.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring trust in Nigeria’s education sector, the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, disclosed the new measures on Thursday during his keynote address at a national capacity-building programme for school representatives.
The programme was organised to support the implementation of the Nigeria Education Repository and Data Bank (NERD) and was themed “Strengthening Institutional Compliance and Academic Records Integrity.” It brought together institutional representatives and education stakeholders to reinforce compliance frameworks and ensure the accuracy, security and authenticity of academic records across educational institutions nationwide.
Addressing participants, Alausa emphasised the importance of reliable data in governance and policymaking, describing it as critical to solving national challenges.
“I have this quote right in my office that I read every day: Data is the lifeblood of effective governance. It enables us to understand the challenges we face so that we can design and implement effective solutions, as well as monitor and evaluate our progress,” he said.
“Without data, we are flying blind. And that is not what this government is about.”
According to the minister, the Nigeria Education Repository and Data Bank is designed as a strategic national infrastructure that will digitise, standardise and authenticate academic records across tertiary institutions in the country.
Key Features of the New System
Alausa explained that the NERD platform would administer a range of national academic verification services, including:
National credential numbers for graduates
A National Credential Revocation Service
A National Student Clearinghouse
A federated repository of academic theses and abstracts
A national academic publication and indexing database
These systems, he said, would create a comprehensive digital footprint of academic credentials issued by accredited institutions in Nigeria.
Within just four months of enforcement, the system has already preserved nearly 100,000 digital student submissions and onboarded more than 250 universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education for real-time credential verification.
“More than 133,000 students and over 6,800 lecturers are now enrolled on the platform, supported by over 655 focal persons nationwide,” the minister disclosed.
Alausa further revealed that over 1,000 digital service centres had been established in partnership with Nigeria Digital Entrepreneurs, a move that has already generated more than 3,000 jobs within four months.
The initiative, he noted, is part of the government’s broader strategy to leverage digital technology in improving governance and strengthening institutional transparency.
The minister also addressed the issue of fraudulent degrees obtained from dubious foreign institutions, revealing that the government acted swiftly after reports surfaced of Nigerians acquiring certificates from unaccredited universities abroad.
“Education is a covenant between the state and its citizens. When a certificate is issued, it is not merely paper; it is a national guarantee that due process was followed and standards were upheld,” he said.
“That guarantee is only as strong as the integrity of our record-keeping systems.”
He disclosed that investigations uncovered cases where some individuals obtained PhD certificates in as little as six months, often from institutions operating in questionable circumstances.
“Before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into government, there was a whistleblower who reported that Nigerians were going to the Republic of Benin to study. Some people were getting PhD certificates in just six months universities that never existed, universities operating from one-room apartments and issuing certificates,” he said.
“But today, I can report to you that we moved quickly as a government. Based on the President’s directive, we conducted full investigations. That has been put to a complete stop.”
According to him, individuals who obtained such illegal certificates have been removed from the civil service and other public sector positions.
Beyond tackling fraud, the minister also announced the establishment of the NERD Annual National Laureate Prize and Awards Programme to promote academic excellence.
The awards will recognise outstanding undergraduate, master’s and doctoral research, with prize money ranging from ₦5 million to ₦20 million.
Alausa said the inaugural edition of the programme is scheduled to take place in November.