NIS unveils technology-driven certificate verification system to curb forgery

The National Institute for Sports (NIS), has announced a new technology-driven system for verifying certificates issued by the Institute, including certificates awarded in previous years.

The Director General of the NIS, Comrade Philip Shaibu, who made the announcement during a meeting with the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen, said the step underscored the Institute’s commitment to improving the credibility, security and global recognition of its qualifications.

According to the DG, under the new system, NIS certificates will feature a scannable technology that will allow their authenticity to be verified digitally from anywhere in the world.

Sporting Tribune reports that the innovation is expected to make certificate verification faster, easier and more reliable for employers, sports organisations, educational institutions and other bodies seeking to confirm the qualifications of NIS graduates.

A major feature of the initiative is its coverage of certificates issued in the past meaning that graduates and coaches who obtained their qualifications from the Institute in previous years will also benefit from the new verification process.

A statement signed by the SA Media to the NIS DG, Ben Ogbemudia, said the move is aimed at protecting the integrity of NIS certificates, reducing the risk of forgery and ensuring that genuine certificate holders can confidently present their qualifications for professional opportunities locally and internationally.

“The introduction of the system reflects the ongoing reforms under Comrade Shaibu’s leadership, with a focus on modernising the Institute’s operations and adopting technology to improve service delivery. By making certificate verification more accessible, NIS is taking another step towards strengthening accountability, promoting transparency and building confidence in its academic and professional training programmes.

“The initiative is particularly significant for sports coaches and other professionals seeking opportunities beyond Nigeria, where the ability to verify academic and professional credentials is an important part of recruitment and career advancement.

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“The new system is expected to make it easier for relevant organisations to establish the authenticity of NIS qualifications without relying solely on traditional manual verification procedures.

“With this development, the Institute continues to pursue its vision of becoming a modern, credible and globally competitive centre for sports education and coach development.

“The technology-driven verification system further reinforces NIS’s commitment to producing qualified sports professionals whose credentials can be trusted and verified wherever their services are required,” the statement read.