Starting October 6, 2025, all graduates seeking mobilisation or exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will need to comply with the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) policy.
The directive, issued by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, supports President Bola Tinubu’s plan to strengthen quality control in Nigeria’s higher education system.
Academic Work Submission Becomes Compulsory
Under the new rule, Nigerian graduates, whether trained locally or abroad, must upload their academic outputs, including theses, dissertations, and final-year projects, to a central digital database.
This process is designed to verify credentials, monitor research contributions, and timestamp submissions. Current corps members are exempt from the policy.
Improving Academic Standards and Transparency
According to NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima, the initiative will digitally link student work to their supervisors and institutions, boosting transparency and accountability.
By creating a traceable record of academic work, the government hopes to curb certificate forgery and improve the credibility of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Royalties for Submitted Research
President Tinubu has also approved a royalty-sharing system that will enable students and lecturers to earn long-term income from the works they submit.
All universities will be required to create their own repositories, which will be integrated into a national knowledge-sharing network.
Data Integration and Monitoring
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and other agencies will connect their systems to NERD via secure APIs to allow instant verification and easier onboarding.
Higher institutions must also submit annual compliance reports beginning March 30, 2026.
Unlocking Nigeria’s Intellectual Capital
Education Minister Tunji Alausa noted that decades of neglected student research have wasted valuable insights that could advance agriculture, medicine, and governance.
By tying NYSC mobilisation to NERD, the government hopes to leverage this intellectual capital for national development and innovation.
Building Trust in Nigeria’s Education System
The policy gives credit to both students and supervisors, rewarding high-quality mentorship and creating a reliable academic record.
Officials believe this reform will protect Nigeria’s intellectual assets and transform its education sector from 2025 onward.
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