By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage– The Federal Government has abolished physical visits to the Federal Ministry of Education for academic certificate evaluation and authentication, moving the entire process online in a major overhaul of Nigeria’s credential verification system.
The reform means applicants in Nigeria and abroad will no longer be required to appear physically at the Ministry to process requests for evaluation or authentication of academic qualifications.
The Federal Ministry of Education said the fully automated system is designed to dismantle bureaucratic bottlenecks that have traditionally slowed credential verification, while improving processing time, transparency and access to government services.
The initiative, according to the Ministry, represents a significant shift from a largely manual process to a technology-driven system capable of providing more efficient and structured verification of academic credentials.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the development as a major step in the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda and an important component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Under the new arrangement, applicants can initiate and complete the academic credential evaluation and authentication process online through the Ministry’s dedicated platform, removing the need for physical interaction with officials.
Beyond convenience for applicants, the digital system is expected to strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s academic certification framework by providing institutions, employers and other authorised stakeholders with a more structured and reliable mechanism for verifying qualifications.
The reform could also reduce opportunities for delays and administrative inefficiencies associated with manual processing, while creating a clearer trail for credential evaluation and authentication.
For Nigerians seeking employment, admission, professional opportunities or recognition of qualifications outside the country, the digital process is expected to make access to the Ministry’s certification services significantly easier, particularly for applicants residing overseas.
The Minister said the initiative underscores the Ministry’s commitment to deploying technology to modernise education governance, improve institutional efficiency and deliver citizen-centred public services.The Ministry urged applicants to use only its official credential evaluation and authentication platform to access the service.
