NERD Registration Now Mandatory for NYSC Participation, FG Confirms

Abuja, March 6, 2026 — The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that graduates whose academic records are not uploaded to the Nigeria Education Repository and Data Bank (NERD) may be denied participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. The directive forms part of broader reforms aimed at curbing certificate fraud and ensuring the integrity and credibility of academic documentation across the country.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, during a national capacity-building programme themed “Strengthening Institutional Compliance and Academic Records Integrity”, which brought together representatives of tertiary institutions to improve the accuracy, verification, and security of academic records nationwide.

Highlighting the critical role of data in governance, Alausa said: “Data is the lifeblood of effective governance. It enables us to understand the challenges we face, design and implement effective solutions, and monitor our progress. Without data, we are flying blind. That is not what this government is about.”

The minister praised President Bola Tinubu for championing reforms that are repositioning the nation for long-term growth. “Positive transformation is laying our country on the path of sustainability,” he said.

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NERD serves as a national digital infrastructure designed to harmonise and authenticate academic credentials across tertiary institutions. The system issues national credential numbers, operates a National Credential Revocation Service, runs a National Student Clearinghouse, and maintains a federated repository of academic theses and publications, alongside a national academic indexing platform.

According to Alausa, the platform has already achieved significant progress since its launch four months ago: over 133,000 students and 6,800 lecturers are enrolled, supported by 655 focal persons nationwide. Nearly 100,000 digital student submissions have been archived, while more than 250 tertiary institutions are connected for real-time verification. The initiative has also created over 1,000 digital service centres in partnership with Nigeria Digital Entrepreneurs, generating more than 3,000 jobs.

The minister emphasised that the reform is in response to past abuses, including cases of Nigerians obtaining questionable degrees abroad in unusually short timeframes. “Some people were getting PhD certificates in just six months from universities that never existed. Today, those practices have been completely stopped, and individuals who obtained illegal certificates have been removed from the civil service,” he said.

NERD compliance is now mandatory for both individuals and institutions seeking access to various educational services, including NYSC participation. Agencies such as TETFund, NUC, NBTE, NCCE, ITF, and all accredited tertiary institutions are required to enforce compliance. The platform is designed to enhance transparency, traceability, and accountability, maintaining a national digital footprint of all academic awards in Nigeria.

Alausa also encouraged institutions to prioritise locally developed digital platforms, aligning with the Federal Government’s local content policy. Additionally, he announced the establishment of the NERD Annual National Laureate Prize and Awards Programme, recognising outstanding academic research with prizes ranging from ₦5 million to ₦20 million, with the maiden edition scheduled for November 2026.

The CEO of NERD, Engineer Tunji Ariyomo, described the initiative as a crucial step in safeguarding Nigeria’s academic knowledge and strengthening the country’s research framework. “Nations that systematically preserve and validate knowledge over time are often at the forefront of global innovation,” Ariyomo said.

By linking NERD with NYSC and other educational services, the Federal Government aims to eliminate credential falsification, reduce disputes over academic records, and ensure that Nigeria’s education system meets global standards of integrity and verification.

NERD Registration Now Mandatory for NYSC Participation, FG Confirms

FG Clarifies FEC Decision, Says PhD Not Equivalent to Medical Fellowship in Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified that the recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) decision regarding the amendment of the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College Act does not equate a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree with a medical fellowship, contrary to earlier reports circulating in sections of the media.

The clarification came from the Federal Ministry of Education following widespread interpretations suggesting that the policy would allow PhD holders to replace medical fellowship qualifications required for specialist medical practice.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that the decision approved by FEC only expands the academic mandate of the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

According to the minister, the approval allows the College to seek accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to award Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in relevant medical and research disciplines.

He stressed that the reform does not replace or diminish the status of medical fellowship, which remains the highest professional qualification for specialist medical practice in Nigeria.

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“The interpretation in some media reports suggesting that a PhD would replace or be considered equivalent to a medical fellowship is incorrect,” Alausa stated.

Medical Fellowship Remains Specialist Qualification

The minister explained that medical fellowship is a distinct professional qualification awarded to physicians who successfully complete years of rigorous residency training and postgraduate medical education required for specialist clinical practice.

He noted that the Federal Government’s decision aims to strengthen academic medicine and medical research, while maintaining the existing professional pathway for training specialist doctors.

According to the ministry, enabling the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College to run PhD programmes will allow it to contribute more effectively to advanced research, academic training, and healthcare innovation in Nigeria.

“The reform simply broadens the institution’s academic scope. Alongside awarding fellowships, the College may now run PhD programmes once accredited by the NUC,” the statement explained.

Clarification Follows Controversy in Medical Community

The clarification comes after earlier media reports suggested that the government had approved a policy placing PhD qualifications on the same professional level as medical fellowships, sparking debate among medical professionals, universities, and healthcare stakeholders.

Some practitioners had raised concerns that such a move could alter the established training structure for medical specialists in Nigeria.

However, the Federal Ministry of Education said the latest clarification should address the misunderstanding and reassure stakeholders that the integrity, prestige, and professional value of medical fellowships remain fully intact.

The ministry reiterated that the government remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare education system, expanding research capacity, and maintaining global standards in medical training.

FG Clarifies FEC Decision, Says PhD Not Equivalent to Medical Fellowship in Nigeria

No Scrapping of JAMB: FG Dismisses Viral Rumours

The Federal Government has firmly dismissed viral social media claims suggesting that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been scrapped as a requirement for tertiary institution admissions in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Education described the reports as false, misleading, and entirely unfounded, stressing that Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board remains the statutory authority responsible for coordinating admissions into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions nationwide.

The Ministry clarified that no policy decision has been taken by the Federal Government to abolish JAMB or remove it from the admission process. It urged prospective candidates, parents, and guardians to ignore the rumour and rely solely on official government communications.

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According to the statement, JAMB continues to play a central role in ensuring transparency, fairness, and standardisation through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

“The attention of the Ministry has been drawn to misleading information suggesting that JAMB has been scrapped. This is not true. There is no such directive from the Federal Government,” the statement said.

The Ministry warned individuals and platforms spreading fake news to desist, noting that such misinformation creates unnecessary anxiety among candidates preparing for admission and undermines confidence in the education system.

Candidates were encouraged to continue registration and admission processes strictly in line with JAMB guidelines and instructions from accredited institutions.

Education stakeholders also cautioned against the spread of unverified reports, emphasizing that any major reform to Nigeria’s admission framework would be formally announced through official channels.

The clarification comes as registration activities for the 2026 academic admission cycle continue, with authorities reiterating their commitment to improving access, credibility, and efficiency in higher education admissions across the country.

No Scrapping of JAMB: FG Dismisses Viral Rumours