Nigeria TV Info 

Federal Government Orders Nationwide Clampdown on Fake Academic Certificates

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a nationwide enforcement of the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD), aimed at eliminating fake academic credentials across all sectors. This directive, issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, mandates all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as public and private higher institutions, to implement structured academic credential checks through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS) of the NERD programme. The enforcement is set to commence on October 6, 2025.

Key Provisions of the Directive:

• Mandatory Credential Verification: All existing and prospective employees must obtain NCVS clearance before appointment confirmations.

• Integration into Employment Records: The NCVS clearance, which includes a National Credential Number (NCN) and security codes, will become a part of each employee's official documentation.

• System-Wide Quality Assurance: The policy introduces a quality assurance mechanism independent of any single institution, aligning with Section 10(1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act 1985.

This reform is part of broader efforts to address the pervasive issue of certificate forgery and academic fraud in Nigeria. The government has previously invalidated degrees from certain institutions in Benin and Togo, and is now focusing on implementing a nationwide verification system to uphold the integrity of academic qualifications.