Abstract
The trend towards the use of digital credentialing in higher education has both increased the
importance of secure, verifiable academic records to reduce fraud and promote interinstitutional
cooperation. This paper is an exploration of how the concept of blockchain technology can be
applied in credentialing, especially in Nigerian institutions of higher learning. Blockchain as a
decentralised ledger system guarantees the protection, confidentiality, and availability of digital
credentials like diplomas and certificates. Evidence of this has been provided by empirical
findings of a simulated application to Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, which revealed a
98 percent verification accuracy rate and a 35 percent decrease in administrative overhead, which
was confirmed by multivariate analysis. This paper suggests that blockchain could be used as a
disruptive technology to improve the credential management system of academic credentials in
Nigeria.
Keywords: Blockchain, Credentialing, Digital Certificates, Higher Education, Fraud Mitigation.
Publication Date: 2026-03-12