The Federal Government has moved the evaluation and authentication of academic certificates fully online, making it possible for Nigerians to process their credentials without visiting the Federal Ministry of Education physically.
The new system is designed to simplify the process for graduates, students, professionals and other applicants who need their academic qualifications evaluated or authenticated for employment, further studies, international opportunities or other official purposes.
Under the new arrangement, applicants are required to register on the Federal Ministry of Education’s official Evaluation and Accreditation portal, create an account with a valid email address and complete the required verification before logging into the platform...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Once logged in, applicants can select the service they require. The available options include evaluation of qualifications, authentication of Nigerian academic credentials, eligibility or English proficiency services and applications for letters of no objection. Applicants are expected to provide accurate personal information and details of their qualifications before proceeding.
The next stage involves selecting the academic qualifications and supporting documents that need to be processed. Applicants must indicate the number of pages they intend to submit because the applicable payment is calculated according to the total number of pages declared.
After completing the required information, applicants can generate a Remita Retrieval Reference, commonly known as an RRR, and pay the prescribed non refundable fee through an approved Remita enabled payment channel. The application then proceeds once payment has been confirmed on the platform.
Applicants are subsequently required to upload clear and legible scanned copies of their relevant documents in the specified formats. The Ministry has warned that the number of pages uploaded must correspond with the number declared during the application and payment stages, as discrepancies can lead to rejection of the submission.
Another important part of the process involves the applicant’s academic institution. After the required documents have been uploaded, applicants seeking evaluation or authentication are instructed to contact their awarding institutions and request that their official academic transcripts be sent directly from the institution’s official email address to the designated Ministry email address.
For evaluation applications, transcripts are to be forwarded to cert.evaluation@education.gov.ng, while authentication applications require transcripts to be sent to cert.authentication@education.gov.ng.
The system also provides a process for checking the credibility of credentials that have already been accredited. Institutions, employers and other authorised third parties can use the platform to verify academic credentials, creating a more structured approach to confirming qualifications.
For applicants with WAEC or NECO results, the Ministry states that verification is carried out online through the relevant examination bodies’ systems using a valid scratch card PIN purchased by the applicant for online retrieval of results.
The Federal Government said the move is aimed at reducing bureaucracy, improving efficiency and strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s academic certification system. The online arrangement is also expected to make the service more convenient for Nigerians living outside the country who previously faced the additional challenge of travelling to Nigeria to process their credentials.
The digitisation is particularly important for graduates whose certificates are required for employment, international education, professional opportunities and other official processes. By allowing applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically, the system is expected to reduce the delays and difficulties associated with physical processing.
The initiative is also part of broader efforts to strengthen the credibility of academic qualifications in Nigeria and tackle the problems associated with fraudulent or unverifiable certificates. A reliable digital verification system can give employers, educational institutions and other organisations a more dependable way of confirming whether academic credentials are genuine.
Applicants are advised to ensure that all information submitted is accurate and that uploaded documents are clear and complete. They should also carefully follow the instructions provided on the official platform to avoid unnecessary delays or rejection.
The Federal Ministry of Education has provided its official online portal for applicants who need to begin the process, while enquiries can be directed through the Ministry’s designated contact channels.
With the process now available online, the reform represents a significant change in how academic credentials are evaluated and authenticated in Nigeria, bringing an important government education service closer to applicants regardless of where they are located.
