Federal Ministry of Education Launches Online ESSVerify Portal for Certificate Verification
The Federal Ministry of Education has fully digitised its Education Sector Support and Services through the ESSVerify portal, allowing Nigerians to authenticate Nigerian academic qualifications, evaluate foreign certificates and verify Ministry-issued documents online without physical visits.
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Nigerians can now authenticate academic certificates, evaluate foreign qualifications and verify ESS documents online through the Federal Ministry of Education’s ESSVerify portal.
The platform also allows users to verify documents already issued through the Ministry’s Education Sector Support and Services, as well as apply for eligibility or proficiency letters and letters of no objection.
Education Support Services was fully digitised end-to-end, including certificate verification and foreign applicants’ processes, in April 2026, when the Ministry launched the fully online ESSVerify portal and ended physical verification. Minister Alausa reconfirmed on Wednesday that the digitisation had already been completed.
The first step is to determine the service required, as the portal has separate options for different academic credential needs.
Those seeking to use a Nigerian certificate abroad can apply for authentication, which is designed to verify Nigerian qualifications for purposes such as further studies, employment or migration.
Those who obtained qualifications outside Nigeria and need to use them in the country can apply for evaluation. The Ministry assesses foreign qualifications for purposes including employment, NYSC and other official uses.
The portal also provides eligibility or proficiency letters for people who need confirmation of their suitability for admission abroad or employment requirements, while institutions or organisations seeking Ministry clearance for programmes or partnerships can apply for a letter of no objection.
How to verify an already-issued ESS document
This option is different from applying to authenticate or evaluate a certificate. It is intended for employers, schools, organisations or individuals who want to check the authenticity of a document issued by the Ministry through ESS.
To verify an existing document:
Visit the ESSVerify portal at https://essverify.education.gov.ng/
Click on “Verify a document” or the corresponding document-verification option on the portal.
Enter the document number displayed on the ESS-issued certificate or letter.
Submit the request by clicking “Verify”.
The system will indicate whether the document is genuine.
How to authenticate or evaluate your academic certificate
Applicants who want to obtain authentication for a Nigerian qualification or evaluation of a foreign qualification will need to make a full application through the portal.
To begin:
Visit the ESSVerify portal and click “Start an application”.
Create an account using a valid email address, verify the email and complete your profile.
Log in and select the service required – Authentication, Evaluation, Eligibility/English Proficiency Letter or Letter of No Objection.
Provide the required personal and qualification details.
Select the documents to be processed and indicate the number of pages as required by the application.
Generate the Remita Retrieval Reference and make the required payment. Payments are non-refundable.
Upload clear and legible scanned copies of the required documents.
Where an official transcript is required, contact the registry of the awarding institution and request that the transcript be sent directly from the institution to the designated email address.
