Nigeria Moves to Tighten Checks on Foreign Degrees, Considers Assessment Before NYSC Mobilisation

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Education is considering stronger measures to verify foreign university qualifications, including the possible introduction of assessment tests for some Nigerian graduates before their certificates are recognised and they are cleared for National Youth Service Corps, or NYSC, mobilisation.

The proposal was discussed at the 37th Meeting of the National Standing Committee on Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications in Abuja, according to a statement published by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation on November 9.

The measures are part of a broader effort to curb certificate fraud, strengthen quality assurance and ensure that foreign qualifications presented for official recognition reflect genuine academic study and acceptable standards.

Assessment Tests Under Consideration

Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, who oversees the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education, said the government was considering assessment tests where necessary for Nigerians holding qualifications from foreign universities, particularly institutions in African countries.

The proposed tests would be part of stronger verification mechanisms intended to establish the authenticity of qualifications submitted for recognition and NYSC mobilisation.

Olatunji-David said Nigeria remained committed to the internationalisation of education but that international study should not come at the expense of acceptable academic standards.

She said every qualification submitted for recognition should represent genuine learning and provide its holder with the required knowledge and skills. The growing number of Nigerians studying abroad, particularly in West African countries, had made stronger institutional verification increasingly important, she said.

Digital Verification System Already Introduced

The Ministry of Education has also taken steps to modernise the evaluation and authentication of qualifications.

According to the government statement, the ministry has automated and digitalised the evaluation of foreign qualifications and the authentication of Nigerian certificates since the beginning of 2026.

The government said the digitalisation was intended to make the processes more transparent, efficient and easier to manage. Direct remittance of fees into government accounts has also been introduced as part of efforts to strengthen accountability.

The ministry has continued to verify the accreditation status of foreign institutions, issue clearance letters required for NYSC mobilisation, process letters of no objection and authenticate certificates and statements of proficiency for Nigerians seeking employment or further education abroad.

Stronger Monitoring of Foreign Institutions

The committee is also considering ways to improve the monitoring of Nigerians studying at foreign institutions.

Possible measures include institutional visits and the use of diplomatic channels to obtain reliable information about foreign universities and their accreditation status.

The government is also examining the possibility of recognising relevant foreign regulatory bodies as reliable sources of information on accredited institutions.

Other issues before the committee include guidelines for foreign-curriculum schools operating in Nigeria and the recognition of some foreign secondary-school qualifications, including the United States and Canadian High School Diplomas and the French Baccalaureate.

These qualifications could be considered for entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions, subject to appropriate assessment and equivalence procedures.

Protecting the Integrity of Qualifications

The proposed measures come amid continued concerns about fraudulent certificates and institutions operating without appropriate accreditation.

The government says the aim is to ensure that only genuine qualifications issued by duly recognised and accredited institutions receive official recognition in Nigeria.

For graduates who have obtained legitimate qualifications abroad, the government's planned verification reforms could introduce additional checks but are intended to improve confidence in the recognition system.

Importantly, the proposed assessment test has not yet been announced as a final nationwide requirement. It remains under consideration as part of discussions on strengthening the evaluation of foreign qualifications.

For now, the Federal Ministry of Education's focus is on combining digital verification, stronger institutional monitoring and improved quality-control mechanisms to protect the integrity of Nigeria's education system and ensure that qualifications presented for recognition meet required standards.