- Digitalised certificate verification, stronger institutional monitoring among measures to safeguard academic standards
The Federal Ministry of Education is considering the introduction of assessment tests for Nigerians holding degrees from foreign universities, particularly those in African countries, as part of renewed efforts to curb certificate fraud, strengthen quality assurance and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
The proposal was presented at the 37th Meeting of the National Standing Committee (NSC) on Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications, held in Abuja, where members were urged to consider stronger verification mechanisms to establish the authenticity of foreign qualifications submitted for recognition and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation.
The Director Overseeing the Office of Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, who made the proposal, stressed that while Nigeria remained committed to promoting the internationalisation of education, this must not come at the expense of acceptable academic standards.She emphasised that every qualification presented for recognition must reflect genuine learning and equip its holder with the requisite knowledge and skills.
She noted that the increasing number of Nigerians pursuing higher education abroad, particularly in West African countries, made it imperative to strengthen institutional verification and consider assessment tests, where necessary, to establish that applicants genuinely attended the institutions and acquired the qualifications they presented.
Dr Olatunji-David commended the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, and the Honourable Minister of State for Education for their commitment to repositioning the education sector. She also acknowledged the contributions of Committee members towards improving the evaluation process and enhancing service delivery.
She disclosed that the Ministry had automated and digitalised the evaluation of foreign qualifications and authentication of Nigerian certificates since the beginning of the year, making the processes more transparent, efficient and seamless, while direct remittance of fees into government accounts had strengthened revenue generation.
The Ministry has also recorded progress in verifying the accreditation status of foreign institutions, issuing clearance letters for NYSC mobilisation, processing letters of no objection and authenticating certificates and statements of proficiency for Nigerians seeking employment or further studies abroad.
Other major issues presented for the Committee’s consideration include guidelines for issuing letters of no objection for proposed institutions seeking registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission; compliance of foreign-curriculum schools operating in Nigeria with national education policies; and preparation of Nigerian students in such schools for recognised public examinations, including WAEC, NECO and NABTEB, as applicable.
The Committee will also examine the recognition of foreign secondary-school qualifications, particularly the United States and Canadian High School Diplomas and the French Baccalaureate, as entry qualifications into Nigerian tertiary institutions, subject to appropriate assessment and equivalence.
In addition, members will consider effective mechanisms for monitoring Nigerians studying in African institutions through institutional visits and diplomatic channels, as well as recognising relevant foreign regulatory bodies as reliable sources of information on accredited institutions.
Earlier, the Director, Education Support Services Department, Mr Amudipe Gabriel Oluwole, described the evaluation of foreign qualifications as a critical responsibility of the Ministry, emphasising the need for evidence-based planning, effective monitoring, transparency and accountability in line with global best practices.
Similarly, the Deputy Director, Education Support Services Department, Dr Aliyu Miringa, underscored the importance of members’ collective expertise in establishing reliable benchmarks and ensuring that decisions on foreign qualification equivalence align with national and international standards.
The Ministry reiterates its commitment to strengthening regulatory and verification frameworks to ensure that only genuine qualifications from duly recognised and accredited institutions receive official recognition.
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
