The Nigerian Institute of Management has backed the Federal Government’s decision to commence mandatory nationwide verification of academic credentials, describing it as a decisive step to curb certificate racketeering and restore credibility to the country’s education system.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its President and Chairman of Council, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (retd.), the institute welcomed the initiative, which will be implemented through the National Credential Verification Service under the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank.

“This move mandates that both existing and prospective staff in public and private institutions must obtain National Credential Verification Service before their appointments can be confirmed, and each verified credential will be assigned a National Credential Number with security codes to ensure traceability and authenticity”, Ayuba said.

Ayuba noted that fake certificates had thrived for years due to weak processes that were often compromised.

He said the strength of the new policy lies in its ability to link decentralised institutional databases into a federated system while preserving institutional autonomy.

The institute urged all stakeholders to support the verification exercise, describing it as a joint effort of tertiary institutions and regulatory agencies to provide a one-stop platform where every academic credential can be authenticated and digitally traced.

The NCVS, launched in March 2025 by Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa, following Federal Executive Council approval, will take effect on October 6.

According to the government, the system is designed to ensure that fake degrees, phoney honours and diploma mills no longer undermine Nigeria’s academic credibility.(PUNCH)