Nigerians can now authenticate academic qualifications, evaluate foreign certificates and verify documents issued by the Federal Ministry of Education online through the government’s ESSVerify portal.

The digital platform allows applicants to access Education Support Services without visiting the ministry’s offices in person.

The portal also provides services for obtaining eligibility or English proficiency letters and letters of no objection.

The Federal Ministry of Education completed the digitisation of Education Support Services in April 2026, making certificate verification and processes for foreign applicants fully online and ending physical verification. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the development on Wednesday.

Applicants must first identify the service they need before beginning the process on the portal.

 Authentication of Nigerian certificates

Nigerians who intend to use their academic qualifications outside the country can apply for certificate authentication through the portal.

Authentication confirms the validity of Nigerian qualifications for purposes such as further education, employment and migration.

Evaluation of foreign qualifications

People who obtained their academic qualifications outside Nigeria and need to use them in the country can apply for evaluation.

The ministry assesses foreign qualifications for purposes including employment, participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme and other official requirements.

The portal also provides eligibility and English proficiency letters for applicants who need confirmation of their qualifications for admission, employment or other requirements.

Institutions and organisations seeking ministry clearance for programmes or partnerships can apply for a letter of no objection through the same platform.

 How to verify an ESS document already issued

The document-verification service is separate from applications for certificate authentication or evaluation.

It is designed for individuals, employers, schools and organisations that want to confirm whether a document issued by the ministry’s Education Support Services is genuine.

To verify a document:

1. Visit the ESSVerify portal.
2. Select “Verify a document” or the relevant document-verification option.
3. Enter the document number shown on the ESS-issued certificate or letter.
4. Click “Verify” to submit the request.

The system will display the verification result.

 How to authenticate or evaluate an academic certificate

Applicants seeking authentication of a Nigerian qualification or evaluation of a foreign qualification must complete an application through the portal.

The process involves the following steps:

1. Visit the ESSVerify portal and select “Start an application.”
2. Create an account with a valid email address, verify the email and complete the required profile information.
3. Log in and select the appropriate service: Authentication, Evaluation, Eligibility/English Proficiency Letter or Letter of No Objection.
4. Enter the required personal and academic qualification details.
5. Select the documents to be processed and provide the required number of pages.
6. Generate a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) and make the required payment. Payments are non-refundable.
7. Upload clear and legible scanned copies of the required documents.
8. Where an official transcript is required, contact the registry of the institution that awarded the qualification and request that the transcript be sent directly to the designated email address.

The online system is intended to allow applicants and organisations to complete the relevant Education Support Services processes remotely, without making a physical visit to the ministry.