FG Enhances Academic Record Verification to Combat Fraud

The Federal Government of Nigeria is taking significant steps to combat certificate fraud by tightening the verification of academic records across tertiary institutions. This initiative, announced by Dr.

Maruf Alausa, the Minister of Education, is part of a broader reform aimed at enhancing the integrity and credibility of Nigeria's educational system. The government has received reports of Nigerians acquiring fake degrees from dubious institutions abroad, prompting a commitment to improve compliance across the education sector.

The new system will involve the establishment of a national repository data bank, which will facilitate real-time verification of credentials for nearly 100,000 students across 250 universities, polytechnics, and monotechnics. The initiative is expected to create approximately 3,000 jobs within four months.

Furthermore, the government plans to introduce an annual national laureate prize award program to recognize outstanding academic research, with prizes ranging from N5 million to N20 million. The reforms will also enforce compliance with national standards across various educational agencies.