Privacy — Introduction & Scope
The Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) operates platforms and services including onboarding and verification portals such as ned.gov.ng/onboarding and ned.gov.ng/login. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal data about institutional officials and student users in connection with NERD and the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS).
Data We Collect
- Identity & Contact: Names, titles, institutional roles, phone numbers, email addresses.
- Institutional Data: Institution/department, designations, authorisations, official letters, and settings.
- Academic Outputs: Project reports, theses, dissertations, publications, and related metadata (titles, abstracts, keywords).
- Credentials & Results: Certificates, transcripts, results/mark sheets, NCN/NDN identifiers and verification data.
- Device/Usage: IP addresses, user agent, login timestamps, event logs, audit trails.
- Support: Messages sent to support channels and hotline interaction records.
Where required, institutions upload authoritative credentials; students upload academic reports themselves.
How We Use Data
- To verify and register Academic Outputs and credentials (assigning NCN/NDN and security codes—e.g., QR/FrameQR).
- To operate onboarding, clearance, and verification workflows for NYSC mobilisation, employment checks, and embassy/mission requests.
- To improve security, audit integrity, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance with law and policy.
- To provide user support, notifications, and service updates.
- To perform analytics that improve programme performance and user experience (in aggregated or de-identified forms where possible).
Sharing & Disclosures
- Institutions & Regulators: To complete verification, compliance, and audit requirements.
- Employers/Agencies: For authorised verification requests (e.g., NCVS checks) initiated by or on behalf of the data subject.
- Service Providers: For secure hosting, communications, analytics, and support—bound by confidentiality obligations.
- Legal Requests: Where required by applicable law, court order, or to protect rights, safety, or security.
Security
We implement administrative, technical, and organisational safeguards aligned with industry practices: encryption in transit, role-based access, audit logging, least-privilege controls, and incident response.
No system is 100% secure; users should protect credentials and report suspicious activity promptly.
Data Retention
We retain data for as long as necessary to fulfil verification and compliance purposes, meet legal/regulatory requirements, and maintain trustworthy academic records. Some records (e.g., NCN/NDN references) may be retained for long-term archival integrity.
Your Rights
Subject to applicable law, you may request access, correction, deletion, restriction, or objection to processing of your personal data. Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw consent at any time (this will not affect processing already performed).
To exercise rights, contact support@ned.gov.ng.
International Data Transfers
Where data is processed across borders by service providers, we implement appropriate safeguards such as contractual protections and technical controls to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Children
NERD services are primarily intended for post-secondary/tertiary contexts. If you believe a child has provided personal data without appropriate authorisation, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be indicated by updating the “Last updated” date and by reasonable notice through our services.
Terms of Use — Introduction
These Terms govern your access to and use of NERD services. By using the services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and all applicable policies referenced herein, including the Privacy Policy.
Eligibility & Accounts
- You must be legally capable of entering into these Terms and meet institutional or programme requirements.
- You are responsible for safeguarding account credentials and for all activities under your account.
- Provide accurate information and keep it up to date.
Acceptable Use
- No unlawful, deceptive, or fraudulent activity; no infringement of third-party rights.
- No attempts to bypass security, probe systems, or disrupt service availability.
- No upload of malicious code or content that violates academic integrity or institutional policies.
- Use APIs and integrations only as documented and authorised.
Intellectual Property
The NERD platform, software, interfaces, and design are protected by IP laws. NERD and its licensors retain all rights not expressly granted. Trademarks, logos, and service marks may not be used without permission.
User Submissions (Academic Outputs)
You represent and warrant you have the necessary rights and approvals to upload your Academic Outputs. You grant NERD and authorised institutions a licence to process, store, verify, and display your submissions for verification, compliance, and archival purposes.
Institutions uploading credentials represent their submissions are accurate and authoritative within their mandates.
Disclaimers
Services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. Operational interruptions may occur due to maintenance or external factors.
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, NERD and its affiliates shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for loss of data, profits, or revenues arising from your use of the services.
Indemnity
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless NERD and its affiliates from claims, liabilities, damages, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your use of the services or violation of these Terms.
Governing Law & Disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of Nigerian courts, without prejudice to applicable administrative remedies with regulators or institutions where appropriate.
Termination
We may suspend or terminate access for violations of these Terms or where required by law. Upon termination, certain obligations survive (e.g., intellectual property rights, disclaimers, limitations of liability).
Contact
Support: support[at]ned.gov.ng
Onboarding: onboarding[at]ned.gov.ng
For privacy enquiries, include enough details for us to identify your account and process your request securely.