NYSC Introduces New Certificate Requirement for 2026 Batch B Corps Members

The National Youth Service Corps has announced a major change to its mobilisation process, revealing that all prospective corps members for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I orientation exercise will be required to present a compliance certificate from the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank before they can participate in national service.

The announcement was made in Abuja by the Director-General of the NYSC, Olakunle Nafiu, during the 2026 Batch ‘B’ pre-mobilisation workshop themed “Strengthening Institutional Accountability and Compliance in the NYSC Mobilization Process.”

According to the NYSC boss, the new policy is aimed at tackling certificate fraud, improving transparency, and ensuring that only qualified graduates are mobilised for the mandatory national service programme.

Nafiu explained that the directive would take full effect from the 2026 Batch B Stream I Orientation Course, adding that all prospective corps members must obtain and present the NERD compliance certificate during mobilisation.

He described the reform as part of the Federal Executive Council’s broader effort to sanitise the education and mobilisation system in Nigeria.

The NYSC Director-General stressed that the policy would help restore public confidence in the scheme while strengthening the integrity of graduate verification across tertiary institutions.

He also noted that the mobilisation process is a collective responsibility involving the NYSC, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, tertiary institutions, and other regulatory agencies.

According to him, stronger collaboration among stakeholders is necessary to ensure that the transition from graduation to national service remains transparent, credible, and efficient.

Nafiu warned institutions against manipulating graduate records submitted for mobilisation, urging school authorities and Student Affairs Officers to comply strictly with NYSC guidelines.

He further encouraged stakeholders to embrace digital reforms and innovation, saying technology would continue to play a vital role in improving accountability and verification processes within the scheme.

The NYSC boss disclosed that the agency plans to strengthen internal monitoring systems while expanding the use of digital verification tools to detect irregularities and improve data accuracy.

He added that JAMB remains central to the authentication of admission and graduation records, while other agencies are expected to provide regulatory support and policy direction.

Speaking during the workshop, the Director of Corps Mobilisation, Rachel Idaewor, said the event was organised to deepen collaboration among institutions involved in the mobilisation process and improve service delivery nationwide.

Idaewor said technology-driven reforms would help streamline operations and address long-standing challenges affecting mobilisation exercises across the country.

She identified key partners in the process to include the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, JAMB, and SIDMACH Technologies.

According to her, digital systems and improved data management would help eliminate inconsistencies in student records and strengthen confidence in the mobilisation system.

She also urged tertiary institutions to ensure accuracy and integrity in the records submitted to NYSC, noting that compliance at the institutional level remains critical to the success of the exercise.

The workshop was attended by representatives of corps-producing institutions, regulatory agencies, JAMB officials, and senior NYSC personnel from across Nigeria.