The Federal Government has reinforced its resolve to protect the credibility of Nigeria’s education system by tightening compliance measures and strengthening the integrity of academic records nationwide.
Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, made this known on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at a national capacity-building programme organised to support the rollout of the Nigeria Education Repository and Data Bank.
The initiative, themed “Strengthening Institutional Compliance and Academic Records Integrity,” aims to enhance the accuracy, security and authenticity of academic records across tertiary institutions.
Alausa stressed that reliable data remains central to effective governance and policymaking.
“Data is the lifeblood of effective governance. Without data, we are flying blind. That is not what this government is about,” he said, noting that reforms under President Bola Tinubu are positioning the country on a path of sustainable transformation.
He described the Nigeria Education Repository and Data Bank as a strategic national infrastructure designed to digitise, standardise and authenticate academic records across higher institutions. The platform administers national credential numbers, a credential revocation service, a student clearinghouse, and a central repository for theses, abstracts and academic publications.
According to the minister, within four months of enforcement, nearly 100,000 digital student submissions had been preserved, while over 250 universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education were onboarded for real-time credential verification. More than 133,000 students and 6,800 lecturers are currently enrolled on the platform, supported by 655 focal persons nationwide.
He added that over 1,000 digital service centres had been established in partnership with Nigeria Digital Entrepreneurs, generating more than 3,000 jobs.
On certificate fraud, Alausa disclosed that the government acted decisively after reports surfaced of Nigerians obtaining fake degrees from unaccredited institutions abroad, particularly in the Republic of Benin.
“Education is a covenant between the state and its citizens. A certificate is a national guarantee that due process was followed. That guarantee is only as strong as our record-keeping systems,” he said.
He revealed that following investigations ordered by the President, the issuance of such questionable certificates had been halted, while individuals who secured illegal qualifications were removed from the civil and public service.
The minister also announced the creation of the NERD Annual National Laureate Prize and Awards Programme to reward outstanding undergraduate, master’s and doctoral research, with prizes ranging from N5m to N20m. The maiden edition is scheduled for November.
Alausa directed ICT directors and tertiary institutions to comply fully with the new framework, warning that adherence to NERD standards is now mandatory.
He clarified that compliance with the platform is a prerequisite for participation in, or exemption from, the National Youth Service Corps. He added that enforcement extends to agencies such as TETFund, the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, the National Commission for Colleges of Education and the Industrial Training Fund, as well as all accredited tertiary institutions.
Describing NERD as a transparency-driven reform tool, the minister said the National Credential Verification Service would maintain a digital footprint of every academic award obtained in accredited Nigerian institutions.
He further pledged that the Federal Ministry of Education would prioritise locally developed technology platforms in line with government policy on local content.
Chief Executive Officer of NERD, Engineer Tunji Ariyomo, described the repository as critical to preserving Nigeria’s academic knowledge and historical records.
He lamented the long-standing loss of valuable research due to weak documentation systems, noting that nations that preserve and validate knowledge over time are better positioned for global leadership.
Nigeria has grappled with persistent certificate fraud and poor record-keeping, with several cases of forged or unverifiable degrees used to secure employment, particularly in the public sector. Investigations in recent years exposed the rise of illegal degree mills in parts of West Africa, prompting a federal crackdown and renewed oversight of tertiary education.
The government says the new measures will close verification gaps, restore confidence in academic qualifications and strengthen Nigeria’s participation in the global knowledge economy.
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