The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, to make the fight against certificate forgery a top priority, describing the act as a national security concern that weakens Nigeria’s educational credibility and institutional integrity.
In a statement signed by the NANS Assistant General Secretary, Olatunji Adejuwon, and issued to journalists on Friday to mark Mr. Ajayi’s first anniversary in office, the student body urged the DSS to adopt a more proactive and collaborative approach in tackling certificate fraud.
“It is time for the Service to treat certificate forgery not merely as an administrative infraction but as a national security threat capable of infiltrating governance and policy-making,” the statement read. “This is an issue of national integrity that affects the credibility of our education system, public institutions, and Nigeria’s image globally.”
NANS praised the DSS leadership under Mr. Ajayi for maintaining professionalism, discipline, and reform-driven leadership during his first year in office, noting improved collaboration with other security agencies and boosted staff morale.
The association also acknowledged what it described as “quiet but impactful reforms” in the DSS, especially in promoting meritocracy, inclusion, and transparency in recruitment and leadership processes. However, it emphasized the need for deliberate action against certificate forgery, urging closer cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Education, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and tertiary institutions to strengthen verification systems.
It further recommended the introduction of a digitised verification mechanism for authenticating academic and professional documents, which would help deter future cases.
“Offenders should be swiftly investigated and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent. Every case of forgery discredits the efforts of millions of students and graduates who earned their qualifications legitimately,” the statement added.
NANS also advised that certificate verification be integrated into DSS vetting processes for public service appointments and promotions, noting that such measures would help rebuild public confidence and safeguard Nigeria’s national integrity.
“The DSS, under Mr. Ajayi’s leadership, has the capacity to lead the national fight against certificate forgery and uphold the credibility of Nigeria’s educational system,” the statement concluded.
