Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Journalist at Weng Global
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has distanced itself from a fraudulent appeal circulating online, which falsely claims the agency is soliciting financial support for the implementation of a new curriculum for the 2026/2027 academic session.
In a public notice issued by the Council, NERDC described the message as entirely false, misleading, and the handiwork of fraudsters seeking to deceive unsuspecting members of the public into making financial contributions under the guise of supporting national education reforms.
The Council urged Nigerians, educational stakeholders, development partners, school administrators, and members of the public to disregard the fake appeal, stressing that it did not authorize any fundraising exercise related to curriculum implementation.
According to NERDC, the fraudulent message has been widely circulated across social media platforms and messaging applications, creating confusion among educators and concerned citizens.
NERDC denies involvement
The Council clarified that it has never requested financial donations from individuals, organizations, or institutions for the implementation of the national curriculum.
It emphasized that all official programmes, policies, curriculum reviews, and implementation activities are conducted through established government procedures and communicated exclusively through verified official channels.
NERDC warned that any individual or group claiming to represent the Council in seeking financial support is engaging in fraudulent activities.
“The Council did not issue such an appeal and is not collecting funds from the public for curriculum implementation,” the statement noted.
Public urged to verify information
NERDC advised Nigerians to exercise caution before responding to online messages requesting financial contributions in the name of government agencies.
It encouraged the public to verify any information relating to the Council through its official communication platforms before taking any action.
The agency noted that scammers often exploit public trust in government institutions by creating fake announcements designed to obtain money or sensitive personal information.
Education stakeholders were specifically urged to ignore any links, bank account details, QR codes, or payment instructions attached to the fraudulent message.
Growing concern over digital scams
The warning comes amid increasing incidents of online fraud involving fake government announcements, recruitment exercises, scholarship offers, grant programmes, and procurement opportunities.
Cybercriminals frequently impersonate federal agencies by using forged logos, fabricated official letters, and cloned social media accounts to lend credibility to fraudulent schemes.
Experts have repeatedly advised citizens to confirm the authenticity of government announcements through official websites, verified social media accounts, or recognized public communication channels.
Protecting the integrity of education reforms
NERDC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting quality education through research, curriculum development, educational innovations, and policy support across Nigeria.
The Council stressed that genuine information concerning curriculum reforms, educational policies, textbooks, and academic programmes would always be released through its official communication channels and relevant government platforms.
It also encouraged members of the public to report suspected fraudulent activities involving the Council to law enforcement agencies and relevant cybersecurity authorities.
Education experts say misinformation surrounding government educational initiatives can undermine public confidence, making it essential for agencies to respond swiftly whenever false information emerges.
As Nigeria continues implementing reforms aimed at improving teaching standards and learning outcomes, NERDC reiterated that transparency and accurate public communication remain central to its operations.
The Council assured Nigerians that it remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of the country’s education system while working with relevant authorities to curb the activities of fraudsters exploiting its name.
Members of the public are therefore advised to disregard the fake curriculum fund appeal and rely solely on verified information issued by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council.
Sources:
- Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC)
- NERDC Official Public Notice
- Federal Ministry of Education
