The Federal Government has introduced a digital process that allows Nigerians and other applicants to apply online for the authentication and evaluation of academic credentials.

The initiative is being implemented through the Federal Ministry of Education as part of efforts to modernise the handling of academic qualification verification and reduce dependence on lengthy manual procedures.

Under the new arrangement, applicants seeking authentication or evaluation of their academic credentials are expected to register on the designated government platform and submit the required supporting documents electronically.

The development is expected to be particularly useful to graduates who require verification of their certificates for employment, further studies, professional purposes, migration or other official requirements.

Applicants are required to provide relevant information about their academic qualifications and upload the supporting documents requested during the application process. The information submitted is then processed as part of the credential authentication or evaluation procedure.

The Federal Ministry of Education’s move forms part of a broader digital transformation of government services. The ministry has said the process is now digitised, meaning applicants can initiate their requests online instead of depending entirely on physical submissions.

The digitisation also comes amid continued concerns over fraudulent academic qualifications and the need for institutions and employers to establish whether certificates presented by applicants are genuine.

For graduates, one of the major advantages of the online process is convenience. Applicants can begin the procedure remotely and monitor the progress of their requests without necessarily making repeated visits to government offices.

Those planning to use the service should ensure that the information entered on the portal corresponds with their academic records. Supporting documents should also be clear and valid to avoid delays during processing.

The government has increasingly turned to digital platforms to improve the delivery of public services, and the academic credential system is part of that wider shift.

The new process provides another official channel through which academic qualifications can be authenticated or evaluated, while also giving employers, educational institutions and other organisations greater confidence in credentials submitted by applicants.

Applicants are advised to rely on official government channels when accessing the service and to be cautious about individuals or unofficial websites claiming to offer certificate verification on behalf of the Federal Government.