Nigeria considers mandatory assessment tests for foreign degree holders before NYSC

The Federal Government of Nigeria is currently deliberating on the introduction of mandatory assessment tests for citizens who have obtained degrees from foreign institutions. Dr Folake Olatunji-David, serving as Acting Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education, revealed this plan during the 37th session of the National Standing Committee (NSC) on Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications. The meeting took place in Abuja on Monday, 9 November 2026. The primary focus of the proposed measure is to ensure that qualifications earned abroad, particularly in African countries, reflect genuine learning achievements and meet established academic standards before holders are mobilised into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Dr Olatunji-David stated that the initiative is a response to the increasing number of Nigerians pursuing higher education in foreign institutions, with a notable rise in students attending universities in West Africa. She emphasised that while the government encourages global socialisation and international education, it must simultaneously maintain the integrity of the national education system. According to the Acting Permanent Secretary, the assessment tests would serve as a verification mechanism to prevent the recognition of unrecognised or substandard foreign qualifications that lack corresponding evidence of learning. She invited the committee to consider implementing this test as a prerequisite for the evaluation of such graduates for NYSC service.

Background

The National Standing Committee on Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications is pivotal in protecting the credibility of Nigeria’s educational framework by guaranteeing that only authentic and properly accredited overseas credentials are accepted. Dr Olatunji-David expressed concern over the rising incidence of forgery involving both Nigerian and foreign degree certificates, noting that the ministry is taking steps to address this menace. The committee has previously made decisions aimed at improving the evaluation and accreditation processes for foreign qualifications, which the ministry described as important progress.

The Federal Ministry of Education has recently automated and digitalised the evaluation of foreign certificates and the authentication of Nigerian certificates since the beginning of 2026. This digitalisation has streamlined the process, making it more seamless for applicants. The fees generated from these services are remitted into government accounts, contributing to the ministry’s revenue generation. Beyond assessing international degrees, the ministry produces several official documents, such as NYSC mobilisation clearance letters, no-objection letters for registering new institutions with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and eligibility and proficiency letters for Nigerians seeking work or academic opportunities overseas.

Why it matters

The proposed assessment tests aim to protect the standard of education in Nigeria by ensuring that every certificate presented is earned through legitimate academic effort. Dr Olatunji-David argued that allowing unrecognised foreign qualifications to be paraded without corresponding learning achievement could lower the overall standard of education in the country. The measure is intended to ensure that graduates with foreign degrees are capable of contributing positively to national development. By verifying the authenticity and quality of foreign qualifications, the government seeks to maintain public confidence in the educational credentials of its workforce and protect the integrity of professional and academic standards within Nigeria.

What happens next

The National Standing Committee is set to deliberate on five key issues during its current session. This entails creating rules for the issuance of no-objection letters necessary for registering new institutions with the Corporate Affairs Commission. A further significant topic on the agenda concerns verifying that foreign-curriculum secondary schools in Nigeria adhere to the nation’s education policy regarding public examinations. The committee emphasized that these institutions must ready their pupils for tests administered by approved organizations, such as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO), the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), or the National Board for Arabic Studies. The outcome of these deliberations will determine the specific implementation details of the proposed assessment tests and other regulatory measures.