The Federal Government of Nigeria is partnering with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on a digital integration initiative aimed at ending certificate racketeering and strengthening qualification verification for graduates. According to Punch, the collaboration is intended to improve the credibility of academic credentials by enabling more reliable verification of graduates' qualifications, addressing longstanding concerns about forged and fraudulently obtained certificates in the country.

The Nigerian Federal Government has moved the evaluation and authentication of academic certificates online, eliminating the requirement for applicants to visit the Federal Ministry of Education in person. The ministry announced the change in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations. The development, associated with Minister of Education Dr Maruf, is intended to streamline the certificate verification process for applicants across the country.

The Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) has surpassed 400,000 digitised academic submissions, while its National Credential Verification Service has processed more than 115,000 academic credentials. According to Leadership, 907 tertiary institutions have been enrolled on the platform, with 629 currently active. The figures indicate growing adoption of the repository as the federal government moves to expand digital management and verification of academic records across Nigeria's tertiary education sector.

Angela Ajala, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), announced plans to implement a competency-based digital curriculum in Nigeria's colleges of education. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of teacher education and develop a new generation of teachers equipped with digital skills to compete globally.

A youth group has called on President Tinubu to halt proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), cautioning against transforming the scheme into a basic skills acquisition programme. They argue that such changes could undermine the original purpose of the NYSC.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has declared Cat Matlala's EMPD 'peace officer' certificate fraudulent, following findings from the Madlanga commission of inquiry. The inquiry revealed that the certificate contained a forged signature and mismatched numbers, raising concerns about its legitimacy.