“So, for centuries, academic certificates have been issued as physical paper certificates.  This is the traditional certificate,” Mr Areghan noted.

Listing some of the benefits of the digital certificate platform, the HNO said that candidates would no longer share photocopies of their certificates with institutions and organisations.

He stated that they would rather access and share copies of their original certificates, delivered straight from the WAEC database, noting that these records would instantly be confirmed and validated.

According to him, candidates or other certificate owners would however have to pay a ‘token for the various services they apply for on the platform.

“For instance, with the new platform, if a candidate wants to do just confirmation of result, he would just have to pay N5,000 as against the N60,000 that was charged for the same service before now.

“If it is for attestation of results, it will attract just N7,500 and if it is just sharing of the result, it is N3,500,” Mr Areghan said.

According to him, the entire process is not about making money, but rather, a sort of council’s Corporate Social Responsibly, CSR.

He said that it was about giving back to society, adding that it was a total package, a one-stop shop for access and validation of certificates.

Speaking further on the gains of the technology, Mr Areghan noted that with the development, issues of result alteration would cease to exist.

According to him, it has also solved the problem of delay, doubt and faking, adding that candidates can access and share their result at any time and to any location around the globe.

“Individuals can now share their digital certificates from a WAEC source instantly, regardless of the person’s location.

“This eliminates institutional administration delays and a backlog of requests.  it provides instant verification and credibility,” he said.

Mr Areghan said that the digital certificate platform would give certificate holders the power to prevent unauthorised users from accessing their data.

He said that the platform was compliant with global best practices by ensuring that the data of candidates were protected securely and could not be accessed by third parties without the consent of certificate owners.

“Thus, it provides security for certificates.

“Another benefit is that universities, institutions and organisations  can now enjoy a seamless, secure and fast confirmation process with the digital platform.

“The platform also allows for bulk confirmation of certificates at once. This saves valuable administration costs and time.

“The limitations experienced with the paper certificates is that it cannot be replaced as original certificates are only issued once.

“Going digital, your original certificate is now available on demand. And the risk of loss or damage is now eliminated.

“Certificate owners can print their digital certificates in high quality to have a physical copy, if they so desire, among others,” he stated.

He assured that result of candidates from 1999 to date could now be accessed through the just-launched and long-awaited platform.

According to him, those taken from 1970 to 1978 will be accessed by February 2023.

Mr Areghan noted that the council would embark on persistent and mass sensitisation on the innovation and how to apply it.

A digital certificate is the electronic version of academic or physical paper certificate.

It is hosted on a dedicated credential page with options to share and embed.

It presents the same information with paper certificates, but has numerous advantages over and paper certificates, with special focus on the elimination of fraud and easy accessibility.

NAN