Ondo Commends Education Minister’s Tech Reforms to Curb Academic Fraud
Ondo Hails Education Minister for Tech-Driven Reforms to Curb Academic Fraud
The Commissioner for Education in Ondo State and former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, has publicly commended the Federal Government for implementing the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) programme, a long-overdue initiative aimed at curbing academic fraud nationwide. The commendation was reported by Vanguard on August 17, 2025.Vanguard News
Ajibefun praised President Bola Tinubu and the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for their “uncommon courage, doggedness, and keen understanding of the corruptive nature of certificate racketeering.” He emphasized that corruption extends beyond monetary losses to include the dishonesty of unearned academic honours.Vanguard News
Highlighting that “we have simply passed the stage of just talking,” Ajibefun asserted that the NERD programme marks a tangible action. He described the initiative as transformative, ensuring no institution in Nigeria can serve as a “diploma mill” under the guise of legitimacy.Vanguard News
Ajibefun, who contributed to formulating national policy for the NERD programme, stated that he witnessed a live demonstration of the technology in action. He encouraged his academic peers to understand how the system can end certificate fraud, uphold research integrity, and unify credential verification nationally.Vanguard News
The Education Commissioner further noted that NERD goes beyond current digitization, it encompasses historical academic records, including theses and dissertations. The system aims to scan, analyze, and profile all scholarly outputs since Nigeria’s first higher institution was established.Vanguard News
He also commended the establishment of the National Publication Index, highlighting the government’s bold move to break away from exclusive reliance on foreign platforms like SCOPUS. The index, managed by the private sector, provides a patriotic alternative, raising standards, reducing foreign expense leakage, and empowering institutional journal publishers.Vanguard News
Ajibefun confirmed that Ondo State will align all its tertiary institutions with the NERD programme. The state has begun consultations with NERD management to ensure full compliance.Vanguard News
