The Federal Government has introduced a fully automated system for the evaluation and authentication of academic certificates, ending the need for applicants to visit the Federal Ministry of Education physically to process their credentials.
The new system allows Nigerians and other applicants, including those living abroad, to complete the credential evaluation and authentication process electronically through the ministry’s dedicated online platform.
The reform was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education as part of ongoing efforts to digitise government services, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and make certificate verification faster and more accessible.
Education Minister, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the initiative represents an important step in the government’s digital transformation agenda under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the ministry, the automated process is intended to improve efficiency, transparency and the integrity of Nigeria’s academic certification system while reducing the administrative burden associated with physical applications.
The system is particularly significant for Nigerians living outside the country who previously had to deal with the logistical challenges of accessing government offices in Nigeria for credential-related services.
How to verify your academic certificate online
Applicants seeking academic certificate evaluation or authentication can begin the process by accessing the Federal Ministry of Education’s official credential evaluation and authentication platform.
The ministry’s official portal is essverify.education.gov.ng, which provides the online gateway for applicants seeking the service.
Applicants are required to register on the platform and provide the relevant information and supporting documents required for their credential evaluation or authentication request.
Users should ensure that the details entered on the portal correspond accurately with the information contained in their academic records to avoid unnecessary delays during processing.
For transcript verification, applicants may also be required to request their institutions to send transcripts directly through official institutional channels, helping the ministry confirm that the academic records originate from recognised institutions.
Once an application has been submitted, the automated system is designed to allow the request to be handled electronically rather than requiring the applicant to repeatedly visit government offices.
The digital approach is expected to make the process more transparent and structured while reducing the delays that can arise from physical document submissions and manual processing.
The new system is not designed only for individuals seeking to authenticate their qualifications, as institutions, employers and other authorised stakeholders will also have access to a more structured mechanism for verifying academic credentials.
This could make it easier for organisations to establish the authenticity of qualifications presented by prospective employees, interns, students and other applicants.
The Federal Government also expects the system to strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s academic records by providing a more reliable digital framework for credential verification.
For applicants, the biggest change is the removal of the need to travel to the Federal Ministry of Education in person simply to initiate or process credential evaluation and authentication.
The ministry said the reform is aimed at eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks, speeding up processing and improving access to the service for applicants both within Nigeria and abroad.
Applicants have, however, been advised to use only the official government platform and approved communication channels when submitting sensitive academic information.
For enquiries relating to the service, the Federal Ministry of Education has provided ess1@education.gov.ng as its contact email.
The introduction of the automated portal marks a significant shift from the traditional process and forms part of the government’s wider push to use technology to modernise public administration.
For Nigerians seeking employment, admission, international opportunities or other processes that require authenticated academic credentials, the new system could reduce both the time and logistical challenges involved in obtaining official verification.
The Federal Government said the digital reform would ultimately support a more citizen-centred approach to government services while improving the credibility and security of Nigeria’s academic certification process.
With the system now available, applicants can begin their credential evaluation and authentication requests online instead of making physical trips to the Ministry of Education.