Since the Federal Government introduced the National Education Repository and Databank (NERD) as part of the NYSC mobilization requirement, thousands of Nigerian students have rushed to upload their final-year projects, theses, and dissertations.
However, not everything goes smoothly. Many students encounter challenges ranging from portal errors, verification delays, wrong file formats, and login problems to school-related technical issues that make the process frustrating and confusing.
If you’ve tried uploading your work to NERD and faced any issues, don’t panic, you’re not alone. This guide breaks down the most common NERD portal problems students encounter and provides clear, step-by-step solutions to fix them.
By the end of this article, you’ll know how to troubleshoot issues quickly, avoid unnecessary delays, and ensure your NERD clearance is ready before your NYSC registration begins.
What Is the NERD Portal?
The National Education Repository and Databank (NERD) is a digital platform created by the Federal Government of Nigeria to store academic works such as:
- Final year projects
- Theses
- Dissertations
- Academic publications
This system ensures transparency, curbs academic fraud, and provides a national archive of student research.
Since October 2025, uploading your final-year work to the NERD portal has become mandatory for NYSC mobilization.
That means:
- No NERD upload = No NYSC mobilization.
Why Students Face Problems on the NERD Portal
There are several reasons why students experience issues when using the NERD portal:
- Poor internet connection or browser incompatibility
- Technical errors from the NERD server
- Incorrect or incomplete personal information
- Failure to follow upload requirements
- Lack of school verification or approval delays
- File size or format issues
Let’s now go through the most common NERD problems and the best ways to fix them, one by one.
Common Problems with NERD Portal and How to Fix Them
1. The NERD Portal Refuses to Load or Keeps Crashing
Sometimes the NERD website takes forever to load, freezes midway, or refuses to open at all. This usually happens during peak hours when thousands of students are trying to upload simultaneously.
Causes:
- Too much traffic on the NERD server
- Slow or unstable internet connection
- Browser cache issues
How to Fix It:
- Try accessing the portal during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening).
- Use a strong, stable internet connection; mobile data fluctuations can interrupt uploads.
- Clear your browser cache or open the portal in incognito/private mode.
- Switch browsers (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are the most compatible).
- If the problem persists for over 24 hours, check your school’s portal or Student Affairs Office (SAO) for official updates.
2. Invalid Login Credentials or Account Not Found
You’ve created your NERD account, but when you try to log in, the system says “Invalid credentials” or “Account not found.”
Causes:
- Typo in your email or password
- Account not properly registered
- Server delay in account activation
How to Fix It:
- Double-check your email and password for accuracy (especially capital letters).
- Click “Forgot Password” and reset it through your email.
- Wait a few hours; sometimes new accounts take time to sync with the NERD database.
- If you still can’t log in after 24 hours, contact your school’s ICT department or the NERD support team (usually linked on the login page).
Always register using a valid and frequently used email address, preferably your school email.
3. File Too Large or Unsupported Format Error
Many students try to upload their final-year project only to get an error message saying “file too large” or “invalid file format.”
Causes:
- The file exceeds the portal’s upload limit (usually 10MB).
- The file is not in PDF format.
How to Fix It:
1. Save your final-year project as a PDF file (not Word or any other format).
2. Use free online tools like:
- SmallPDF.com
- iLovePDF.com
- PDFCompressor.com to reduce your file size to under 10MB.
3. Rename your file clearly, e.g., Project_Title_YourName.pdf.
4. Try re-uploading.
If your file contains numerous images or charts, reduce the image resolution before converting it to PDF.
4. Pending Approval for Too Long
After uploading, your dashboard displays “Pending Approval” for several days (or even weeks) with no updates.
Causes:
- Delay from your supervisor, department, or Student Affairs Office (SAO).
- Your upload hasn’t been reviewed yet.
- Your school hasn’t fully linked with NERD’s verification system.
How to Fix It:
- Visit your department or the Student Affairs Office (SAO) and inform them about your pending status.
- Ask if they’ve received your upload notification.
- Politely follow up every few days until it’s approved.
- Make sure your details match your school record; errors can delay approval.
Always upload your work early; don’t wait until the last week of NYSC mobilization.
5. Record Not Found When Trying to Upload
You fill out all your details and click submit, but the system says “Record not found” or “Student details not available.”
Causes:
- Your school hasn’t uploaded your student data to the NERD system yet.
- Typo in your matriculation number or graduation year.
How to Fix It:
- Double-check your matric number and graduation year.
- Confirm with your department that your details have been sent to NERD.
- If not, wait until your school completes its bulk upload.
- You can also reach out to your school’s ICT officer for manual confirmation.
6. Upload Successful, but No Confirmation Email
You successfully uploaded your project, but never received a confirmation message or email.
Causes:
- Your upload is pending internal review.
- The email system is temporarily delayed.
- A wrong or inactive email address was used.
How to Fix It:
- Log back into your NERD dashboard to confirm your upload status.
- Check your spam or junk folder; the email may have gone there.
- Add the NERD email address to your contact list so future emails won’t be marked as spam.
- If it’s been over 48 hours without confirmation, visit your school’s SAO for manual verification.
7. Upload Button Not Responding or Page Freezes
You click the “Upload” button, but nothing happens, or the page freezes midway.
Causes:
- Outdated browser
- The browser pop-up blocker is active
- Poor network connection.
How to Fix It:
- Refresh the page and log in again.
- Use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox (avoid Opera Mini or UC Browser).
- Disable any browser extensions or pop-up blockers temporarily.
- Switch to a more stable network connection.
Always back up your file before uploading, in case you need to restart the process.
8. Name or Matric Number Mismatch
You get a notification that your name or matriculation number doesn’t match your school record.
Causes:
- You entered incorrect personal details during upload.
- The spelling in your project file differs from your official record.
How to Fix It:
- Recheck your school records for the exact spelling and format.
- Update your NERD profile to match.
- If the system won’t let you edit it, contact your departmental ICT officer or SAO for correction.
Always ensure your details match across your NERD portal, school record, and NYSC profile.
9. School Not Yet Registered on NERD
Some students from smaller institutions or newly accredited schools get a message saying “institution not found” or “school not yet registered.”
Causes:
- The school hasn’t completed NERD registration.
- Technical delay from NERD or the institution.
How to Fix It:
- Visit your Student Affairs Office (SAO) or ICT Unit and report the issue.
- Ask for the official update on your school’s NERD registration.
- Once your school is registered, you’ll be able to upload normally.
Stay connected to your school’s official WhatsApp or Telegram groups for announcements.
10. Submission Certificate Not Generated
You’ve completed the upload, but the system fails to generate your NERD clearance slip or submission certificate.
Causes:
- Approval process not fully completed.
- Temporary glitch on the portal.
How to Fix It:
- Wait for at least 24–48 hours after approval.
- Log back into your dashboard to check if the certificate is now available.
- If not, contact NERD support or your SAO.
- Request a manual clearance copy if the issue persists.
Always print your NERD clearance slip once it’s available; you’ll need it during NYSC registration and camp verification.
Always Back Up Your Upload Proof
After every successful upload, do the following:
- Save a screenshot of your upload confirmation page.
- Download your clearance slip and keep it in multiple locations (email, flash drive, Google Drive, etc.).
- Note down your Deposit ID; that’s your official proof of upload.
This helps in case the portal experiences a system reset or data loss.
When to Contact NERD Support
If you’ve tried all the above and still face issues, it’s time to reach out directly.
Here’s what to do:
- Check the “Contact Us” or “Support” link on the NERD portal homepage.
- Provide your full name, matric number, school, email, and a short description of the issue.
- Attach screenshots if necessary.
- Be patient, responses can take up to 48–72 hours depending on traffic.
The NERD portal is one of the biggest steps toward improving Nigeria’s academic system and ensuring transparency in NYSC mobilization. However, like any new system, it’s not without challenges.
The good news is that most problems have simple solutions, and with a little patience and the right information, you can complete your upload smoothly.
Remember:
- Always follow your school’s official guidelines.
- Double-check your details before submitting.
- Keep your clearance slip safe once generated.
With proper preparation, your NERD upload will be stress-free, and your NYSC mobilization process will go through without delay.