FG, NYSC partner on digital integration to end certificate racketeering

The Federal Government is partnering with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to combat certificate racketeering and enhance qualification verification through digital integration of education records. The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and aims to strengthen the integrity of academic qualifications.

Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, revealed that the Nigerian Education Repository Data Bank is collecting and verifying university certificates while tracking learners throughout their educational journey. The ministry is also integrating its Education Support Services, including certificate verification and processes involving foreign applicants.

Discussions are underway to create an application programming interface to facilitate faster verification and seamless data exchange between the NYSC and the ministry. Challenges such as discrepancies in names, issues affecting part-time National Diploma graduates, and admission of National Certificate in Education holders into Higher National Diploma programmes are being addressed.

The government plans to introduce a national Learner Identification Number and a consistent framework for recording and sequencing names across education and identity databases. These reforms are part of ongoing efforts to combat examination malpractice, strengthen identity records, and prevent unqualified graduates from entering national service.