Denied the Right to Serve: How NYSC Exclusion Is Destroying the Careers of HND Graduates in Nigeria

Denied the right to serve, thousands of Nigerian polytechnic graduates say their careers and futures are being stalled by continued exclusion from the National Youth Service Corps, despite completing full-time Higher National Diploma programmes.

Across the country, many HND graduates who obtained their National Diploma through part-time study but later transitioned to full-time HND programmes say they have been unfairly classified as ineligible for national service. While their juniors are mobilised and completing service, they remain at home, unemployed and uncertain about their future.

For many, the shock comes after years of academic effort and financial sacrifice. Several graduates say they completed their HND programmes on a full-time basis and fully expected to be mobilised, only to be issued exclusion letters when they attempted to register on the NYSC portal. Instead of call-up numbers and posting details, they were informed that they had been excluded from national service due to their academic pathway.

Affected graduates argue that the problem lies in the interpretation of eligibility rules, which they say wrongly focuses on their ND study mode rather than their HND status. They insist that eligibility for NYSC should be determined by the mode of the Higher National Diploma programme, not by how the National Diploma was obtained years earlier.

Some graduates say they were initially assured by school authorities and NYSC officials that transitioning from ND part-time to HND full-time would not affect their eligibility. In several cases, they paid mobilisation fees, completed registration processes, and were later issued exclusion letters without clear explanations. Others report being told that the issue lies with agencies such as JAMB, the National Board for Technical Education, or their institutions, leading to a cycle of blame with no resolution.

Many say the situation became widespread around 2023, despite earlier cohorts with similar academic backgrounds being successfully mobilised. This inconsistency has deepened frustration, with graduates questioning why the policy appears to be applied selectively.

The emotional toll has been severe. Some affected graduates say watching younger colleagues parade in NYSC uniforms or post passing-out ceremonies on social media is deeply painful. Beyond emotional distress, the exclusion has had tangible economic consequences. Several graduates report losing job offers after failing to produce NYSC discharge or exemption certificates. Others say their applications stall immediately once employers ask about NYSC status, while some are offered lower wages because they are considered incomplete graduates.

The absence of an NYSC certificate has also disrupted plans for postgraduate education, professional certifications, and career advancement. Graduates argue that exclusion from national service has effectively placed them at a disadvantage in Nigeria’s already competitive labour market.

Student leaders and advocacy groups describe the situation as unjust and a violation of the rights of Nigerian students. They say thousands of graduates, particularly in the South-West, have remained unmobilised despite multiple assurances, official communications, and compliance with directives issued by relevant authorities. According to them, repeated instructions to re-register, submit documents, or surrender exclusion letters have not led to mobilisation, leaving affected graduates trapped in administrative limbo.

Legal practitioners have also weighed in, questioning the legality of excluding HND graduates based on their ND background. Senior lawyers argue that the NYSC’s mandate is limited to mobilising graduates and does not extend to questioning academic pathways approved by recognised institutions. They maintain that once a citizen has been awarded an HND certificate, the scheme has no legal basis to exclude that individual on the grounds of part-time study at the ND level.

Other human rights advocates describe the policy as discriminatory and morally unjust, calling on the Federal Government to intervene. They argue that any law or administrative practice that prevents qualified HND graduates under the age of 30 from serving without clear justification undermines fairness, equality, and national integration.

Officials from the education sector have given mixed responses. While the Ministry of Education has indicated that the issue has been addressed from its end, it maintains that mobilisation falls under the authority of the NYSC. Polytechnic regulators have also pointed graduates back to the NYSC for resolution. NYSC officials, however, say the scheme would not deliberately deny eligible graduates the right to serve and have called for dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.

For the affected graduates, time is the biggest cost. Each passing mobilisation batch represents missed opportunities, delayed careers, and growing uncertainty. They are calling on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Education, and the NYSC to urgently correct what they describe as misclassification, ensure fair interpretation of eligibility rules, and immediately mobilise all qualified full-time HND graduates.

Until then, thousands of Nigerian youths remain stuck between graduation and employment, holding certificates that have not translated into opportunity, and waiting for the chance to serve their country like their peers.