The Federal Government has automated the evaluation and authentication of academic certificates, ending the need for applicants to visit the Federal Ministry of Education physically.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the development as part of the ministry’s digital transformation efforts.
In the new system, applicants in Nigeria and abroad can process their academic credential verification online through the Federal Ministry of Education Verification Portal. All applications for authentication and evaluation of academic credentials must be processed online through the ministry’s official Evaluation and Authentication Portal, ESSVerify.
Applicants are required to request their respective awarding institutions to forward their academic transcripts directly from official institutional email addresses to ess1@education.gov.ng.
The ministry further provided ess1@education.gov.ng and ess.enquiry@education.gov.ng as official channels for enquiries and assistance regarding the verification process.
However, the Federal Government stressed that the automated system would reduce bureaucratic delays and processing time while improving transparency in the authentication of academic credentials.
The system will also provide employers, educational institutions and other relevant organisations with a structured mechanism for verifying academic certificates.
The reform is expected to particularly benefit Nigerians living abroad, as applicants can now complete the credential evaluation process remotely without travelling to Nigeria or visiting the ministry’s offices.
By Musekir Faisat OmolaraÂ
