If you earned your university degree in Nigeria and are planning to immigrate to Canada, you may have heard about an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). If you are unfamiliar with the process, the good news is that it is not as complicated as it may first appear.
An ECA is an official assessment that helps Canadian immigration authorities understand what your Nigerian degree, diploma, or other foreign educational credential is comparable to in Canada. For many immigration applicants, particularly those using Express Entry, getting the right ECA is an important step.
This guide explains how to get a Nigerian degree evaluated for Canada immigration, what documents you may need, which organizations can perform the assessment, common mistakes to avoid, and what to do after receiving your report.
Important: Immigration rules and document requirements can change. Always confirm the latest requirements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the organization you choose before submitting your documents.
What Is an Educational Credential Assessment?
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a report that evaluates education completed outside Canada and indicates what that credential is comparable to in the Canadian education system.
For example, you may have completed a bachelor’s degree at a Nigerian university. An ECA organization reviews your educational documents and determines the Canadian educational equivalency of that credential.
For Canadian immigration, it is important to obtain an ECA specifically for immigration purposes. Not every type of credential evaluation is automatically accepted by IRCC.
An ECA can be particularly important if you want to:
- Apply through certain economic immigration programs
- Qualify as a principal applicant under the Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Claim points for education completed outside Canada
- Claim education points for an accompanying spouse or common-law partner
IRCC explains that applicants with foreign education may need an ECA to demonstrate that their credential is equivalent to a Canadian credential.
Do Nigerians Need an ECA for Canada Immigration?
Not every Nigerian applicant needs an ECA.
Whether you need one depends on your immigration program and how you intend to use your foreign education.
For Express Entry, an ECA is generally required when a principal applicant wants to use foreign education to meet the eligibility requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program or to receive education points.
If your education was completed in Canada, you normally do not need an ECA for that Canadian credential.
It is therefore important not to assume that every person immigrating from Nigeria must obtain an ECA. Instead, check the requirements of the specific immigration program you are applying under.
Which Organizations Can Evaluate a Nigerian Degree?
One of the most important steps is choosing an organization that is designated by IRCC.
For most applicants, IRCC currently recognizes five general-purpose organizations for immigration ECAs:
- World Education Services (WES)
- Comparative Education Service (CES) at the University of Toronto
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) at the British Columbia Institute of Technology
IRCC states that these designated organizations assess foreign educational credentials for immigration purposes.
You should always check IRCC’s current list before paying for an assessment because designated organizations and requirements can change.
Certain regulated professions have additional requirements. For example, architects, physicians and pharmacists may need an assessment from the relevant designated professional body rather than a general-purpose organization.
WES or Another ECA Organization: Which Should You Choose?
Many Nigerians consider World Education Services (WES) because it is an IRCC-designated organization and provides ECAs for Canadian immigration.
However, WES is not the only option.
The best organization for you depends on factors such as:
- Your type of qualification
- Where you studied
- Your institution’s document submission process
- Current processing requirements
- Fees
- Processing times
- Whether the organization accepts your institution’s documents in the required format
WES advises applicants to check its country-specific document requirements before starting an evaluation. It also explains that institutions may need to submit official academic documents directly or through approved electronic channels.
Do not choose an assessment provider simply because a friend used it. Your friend’s circumstances may be different from yours.
Step 1: Confirm That You Need an ECA
Before creating an account with an assessment organization, determine whether your Canadian immigration program requires an ECA.
For Express Entry, foreign education can affect both eligibility and your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
If you have a Nigerian bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, postgraduate qualification or another credential, review the immigration program requirements carefully.
If you have more than one credential and want to claim points for multiple credentials, you may need an ECA for each credential you are claiming. IRCC states that applicants seeking points for more than one credential generally need a valid ECA for each credential, and at least one credential must represent three or more years of study for the applicable multiple-credential education category.
Step 2: Choose an IRCC-Designated Organization
Once you know you need an ECA, choose one of the organizations designated by IRCC.
Visit the organization’s official website and select an evaluation specifically intended for Canadian immigration.
This distinction matters.
For example, an evaluation prepared for employment or university admission is not necessarily the same as an ECA for Canadian immigration.
IRCC says applicants need an ECA for immigration purposes, and the report must come from a designated organization or designated professional body.
Step 3: Create Your Application
After choosing an organization, create an account and provide the requested information.
You will typically need to enter information such as:
- Your name
- Date of birth
- Contact information
- Country where you studied
- Name of your educational institution
- Qualification earned
- Year of graduation
- Immigration purpose
Make sure your information matches your academic documents.
If the name on your passport differs from the name on your degree or transcript, follow the assessment organization’s instructions for explaining the difference. Do not simply change information on your application to make documents appear identical.
Step 4: Check the Nigerian Document Requirements
This is one of the most important parts of the process.
Do not assume that every Nigerian university uses exactly the same document process.
The ECA organization will tell you which documents it needs and how they must be submitted.
Depending on your credential and the organization, you may be asked for documents such as:
- Degree certificate
- Academic transcript
- Statement of results
- Other official academic records
- Proof of identity or name-change documentation, where applicable
The institution may need to send official academic records directly to the assessment organization.
WES, for example, states that document requirements depend on the country or territory where the education was completed and that official academic documents may need to come from the issuing institution.
Do not send extra documents just because you think they might help. Follow the exact document list provided for your credential.
Step 5: Contact Your Nigerian University
After starting your ECA application, contact your university’s relevant academic records, examinations or transcript office.
Tell the institution that you need your academic records submitted for an international credential evaluation.
Your university may have its own process, fees and timeline for releasing transcripts.
This is an area where planning ahead can save time.
If your university takes several weeks to process transcript requests, starting the ECA process early can prevent your immigration plans from being delayed.
Also, make sure the spelling of your name, date of birth and other important information is accurate wherever possible.
Step 6: Submit the Required Documents Correctly
Follow the assessment organization’s instructions carefully.
One common mistake is assuming that a scanned copy of a transcript uploaded by the applicant will always be enough. In many situations, the evaluator requires official academic records to be submitted through an approved method.
WES, for example, says applicants should use its country-specific requirements and notes that official academic documents need to be sent by the issuing institutions or through accepted electronic arrangements.
If the organization asks for a document to be sent directly by your university, follow that instruction rather than sending it yourself.
Incorrect document submission can result in delays.
Step 7: Pay the Assessment Fees
The assessment organization will charge a fee for the evaluation.
The total amount can depend on the organization, delivery method and additional services you choose.
Before paying, check the organization’s current fee schedule and make sure you understand what is included.
You may also have additional expenses related to:
- University transcript requests
- Courier delivery
- Document translation, if required
- Additional copies of the report
- Other optional services
Avoid relying on old blog posts or social media comments for current fees. Prices and services can change.
Step 8: Wait for Verification and Assessment
Once your documents are received, the assessment organization reviews them.
This can include checking whether the documents are authentic and whether the issuing institution can verify them.
For example, WES explains that documents may be verified with the academic institution and that an evaluation can be placed on hold if additional verification is required.
This is why applicants should not panic if their evaluation does not arrive immediately.
A delay does not automatically mean that there is a problem with your degree.
If the organization requests additional information, respond as quickly as possible and provide exactly what has been requested.
What Does a Nigerian Degree Equal in Canada?
There is no single Canadian equivalency that applies to every Nigerian degree.
Your ECA report determines the Canadian equivalency of your particular credential.
For example, a Nigerian bachelor’s degree may receive an equivalency that corresponds to a Canadian bachelor’s-level credential, but the outcome depends on the credential, institution, program and assessment organization’s evaluation.
Do not assume that having a particular degree automatically guarantees a specific Canadian equivalency.
The ECA report is the document you should use when entering your education information for immigration purposes.
How Long Is an ECA Valid?
For Canadian immigration purposes, IRCC says an ECA must generally be less than five years old when you create your Express Entry profile and when you submit your permanent residence application.
IRCC also confirms that a valid immigration-purpose ECA can be reused for an Express Entry profile as long as it remains valid.
This means you should keep your ECA report and reference information somewhere safe.
However, do not assume that an old assessment will always meet the requirements of a future immigration application. Check its validity when you are ready to apply.
Does an ECA Guarantee Canadian Immigration Approval?
No.
This is an important point that is sometimes misunderstood.
An ECA confirms or assesses your foreign education for immigration purposes, but it does not guarantee that you will receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.
Your immigration application can depend on several other factors, including your age, language results, work experience, program eligibility and CRS ranking, depending on the pathway.
IRCC also makes clear that completing an Express Entry profile does not guarantee an Invitation to Apply.
Think of your ECA as one part of your immigration application, not a guarantee of success.
Does an ECA Mean You Can Work in Your Profession in Canada?
Not necessarily.
This is especially important for Nigerians who work in regulated professions.
An ECA for immigration does not automatically give you permission to practise a regulated occupation in Canada.
For example, if your profession requires a provincial or territorial licence, you may need to complete a separate credential recognition and licensing process.
IRCC specifically states that an ECA does not mean your professional qualifications are automatically recognized for licensing.
Therefore, if you are a doctor, pharmacist, architect or another regulated professional, research both your immigration ECA requirements and your professional licensing requirements.
They are related, but they are not the same thing.
Common Mistakes Nigerians Should Avoid
Getting your degree evaluated can be straightforward if you follow instructions carefully. Here are some common mistakes to avoid.
1. Choosing the wrong type of evaluation
Do not order a general education or employment evaluation when your immigration program requires an ECA.
2. Using a non-designated organization
Check the current IRCC list before paying for an assessment.
3. Sending documents incorrectly
Read the organization’s instructions carefully. Some academic documents may need to come directly from your institution.
4. Assuming every university has the same process
Nigerian universities can have different procedures for transcript requests and document verification.
5. Waiting until the last minute
University transcript processing and credential verification can take time.
6. Ignoring name differences
If your academic records and identity documents contain different names, resolve or document the difference according to the evaluator’s instructions.
7. Assuming an ECA equals professional licensing
An immigration ECA and professional licensing are separate processes.
A Simple Nigerian ECA Checklist
Before you start, use this checklist:
☐ Confirm that your immigration program requires an ECA.
☐ Check the latest IRCC requirements.
☐ Choose an IRCC-designated assessment organization.
☐ Select an ECA for Canadian immigration.
☐ Create your account.
☐ Enter your personal and education information accurately.
☐ Check the organization’s requirements specifically for your Nigerian credential.
☐ Contact your university about official transcripts.
☐ Submit documents using the required method.
☐ Pay the applicable fees.
☐ Monitor your application for document requests.
☐ Download and safely keep your completed ECA report.
☐ Check that the ECA is still valid when you use it for immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use WES to evaluate my Nigerian degree for Canada immigration?
Yes. WES is one of the organizations designated by IRCC to provide Educational Credential Assessments for Canadian immigration. However, you should confirm the current document requirements for your specific Nigerian credential before applying.
Do I need to evaluate every degree I have?
Not necessarily. For many applicants, only the highest credential is needed. However, if you want to claim immigration points for multiple credentials, you may need an ECA for each credential being claimed.
How long is a Canadian immigration ECA valid?
IRCC generally accepts an immigration-purpose ECA for five years from the date it was issued.
Can an ECA help me get a job in Canada?
It may help employers understand your foreign education, but an ECA does not guarantee employment and does not automatically provide professional licensing.
Do I need an ECA if I studied in Canada?
Generally, no. Canadian degrees, diplomas and certificates do not require an ECA for Express Entry education assessment.
What if my university takes a long time to send my transcript?
Start the process early and follow your university’s official transcript procedure. If the ECA organization has specific instructions for contacting or submitting documents from your institution, follow those instructions carefully.