You obtain an official police report for a lost degree certificate by reporting the loss at the police station having territorial jurisdiction over the incident, swearing an affidavit of loss at a high court, and collecting an endorsed police extract from the Divisional Police Officer.
Nigerian universities do not reprint original degree certificates once issued, but they issue official Attestation of Results or formal letters of certification upon presentation of authenticated police loss reports and legal affidavits.
To secure an authentic police extract to process your tertiary institutional replacement records, follow these procedural steps:
- Visit the nearest Divisional Police Headquarters in the area where the academic certificate was misplaced, stolen, or destroyed.
- Locate the Crime Branch or Administrative Desk and request to file an official report concerning the loss of valuable personal academic documents.
- Provide a detailed written statement recounting the circumstances of the loss, including date, location, certificate serial number, and awarding institution.
- Swear an official Affidavit of Loss of Academic Certificate at a competent High Court registry affirming ownership and describing the lost documents.
- Present the original court affidavit, a photocopy of the lost degree certificate (if available), and valid national identification to the police investigator.
- Pay the statutory administrative processing fee to obtain your official Police Extract signed by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
- Ensure the police extract carries the official station stamp, dispatch reference number, and investigating officer’s contact details.
Graduate applicants must compile a comprehensive verification portfolio when applying for institutional attestation documents:
- Original stamped Police Extract detailing the reported incident and confirming that the document has not been recovered.
- Original sworn High Court Affidavit of Loss bearing the official dry seal of the court registry.
- Copy of a formal public notice publication in a widely circulated national daily newspaper declaring the certificate missing.
- Clear photocopy of your original degree certificate or statement of result issued upon initial university graduation.
Filing false police reports or fabricating certificate loss claims to cover up academic dismissal or forged qualifications constitutes criminal perjury punishable by imprisonment under the Criminal Code.
Universities mandate publication in a national newspaper to provide public legal notice before considering issuing formal attestation documentation.
Presenting your endorsed police extract to the University Registry facilitates the issuance of an official Letter of Attestation that serves as legal substitute for your original diploma.
Maintaining high-resolution digital backups of your academic certificates in secure cloud storage significantly simplifies document replacement procedures in future emergencies.
Retaining your endorsed police extract and court loss affidavit in a secure digital repository guarantees rapid verification whenever prospective employers conduct background credential screening. Requesting an official certified copy of your university student broadsheet offers temporary academic verification while your attestation letter is being processed.
Retaining your endorsed police extract and court loss affidavit in a secure digital repository guarantees rapid verification whenever prospective employers conduct background credential screening. Requesting an official certified copy of your university student broadsheet offers temporary academic verification while your attestation letter is being processed.
Thank you for breaking this down so clearly. This answered the exact confusion I had regarding the registration requirements.
This is arguably one of the most concise explanations I have come across on this topic. God bless you for sharing.
Extremely helpful post. My younger sibling was facing this exact dilemma last week. I will share this link with him right away.
Please what is the recommended procedure if the school portal is not reflecting the payment receipt after completing the bank branch remita transfer?
Thank you for asking. Regarding required physical screening documents, candidates must always arrange the following in an official document file jacket: (1) Original and 4 photocopies of your JAMB UTME result slip, (2) Original Post-UTME registration acknowledgment slip, (3) O-Level certificate or verified online statement of results (WAEC/NECO/NABTEB), (4) Local Government Identification Certificate, (5) Birth Certificate or statutory declaration of age, and (6) 8 passport photographs with red background. Keeping duplicate colored copies in a separate folder is strongly recommended.
Thank you author for this timely post. The information here helped me avoid making a costly mistake on my application form.
A very comprehensive review. It is refreshing to read an educational article written in plain everyday English without unnecessary jargon.
Thank you for shedding light on this issue. Our school counselor never explained the difference between the aggregate score and the raw UTME mark like this.
This guide covers all the critical angles. Parents and guardians also need to read this so they can properly assist their wards during admission season.
Please I need a quick clarification: can an applicant who has already uploaded their O-level result make changes if there was an omission of a required subject?
Spot-on question regarding JAMB CAPS admission acceptance: Once your admission status changes to ‘Offered Admission’, you have a statutory window of approximately 4 weeks to either ‘ACCEPT’ or ‘REJECT’ the offer. Accepting generates your official JAMB Admission Letter, which is mandatory for matriculation, NYSC mobilization, and final clearance. Never delay acceptance once your choice course is confirmed.
Insightful analysis. Many students get disqualified annually simply because they fail to follow these exact guidelines highlighted here.