FG Scraps Physical Verification of Academic Certificates

FG Scraps Physical Verification of Academic Certificates

The Federal Government has abolished physical verification visits for academic credentials, introducing a fully automated online system for the authentication and evaluation of certificates across the country.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced that all applications for credential verification will henceforth be processed exclusively through a digital platform, marking a major shift in how academic records are validated for employment, admission, and official use.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry said the reform is part of broader efforts to modernise public service delivery and align education administration with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

According to the ministry, the new system is designed to improve transparency, strengthen the integrity of academic records, and eliminate inefficiencies associated with manual processing and repeated physical visits to government offices.

“The Federal Ministry of Education has fully automated the process for the authentication and evaluation of academic credentials as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency, improve data management, and enhance public service delivery,” the statement said.

Under the new arrangement, applicants are required to complete all verification processes online by registering and uploading necessary documents through the ministry’s official portal at essverify.education.gov.ng.

The ministry further directed that academic transcripts must be sent directly from institutions to its designated official email address, [ess1@education.gov.ng](mailto:ess1@education.gov.ng), stressing that third-party submissions or physical drop-offs will no longer be accepted.

Officials explained that the reform is expected to significantly reduce processing time, curb administrative bottlenecks, and enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s academic verification system.

It added that the transition to a fully digital platform would also help curb document fraud and ensure more reliable record management across institutions.

“This transition to a fully automated platform is expected to simplify procedures, reduce processing time, and further strengthen the integrity and credibility of academic credential verification in Nigeria,” the ministry stated.

With the new system now in place, applicants seeking authentication or evaluation of certificates will no longer be required to visit ministry offices for physical verification.