FG Introduces New NYSC Mobilisation Rules, Makes Academic Repository Compliance Mandatory

The Federal Government has approved a sweeping reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation process, introducing new mandatory requirements for Nigerian graduates seeking deployment or exemption from national service.

Under the directive signed by President Bola Tinubu, compliance with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) will now be a compulsory condition for all prospective corps members. The approval, conveyed through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, cites Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the NYSC Act as the legal basis for the reform.

Effective October 6, 2025, no Nigerian graduate—whether trained in local universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, or foreign institutions—will be mobilised for NYSC or granted exemption without proof of compliance with the NERD policy.

Mandatory Deposit of Academic Outputs

A central feature of the new policy is the deposit of academic outputs, including final-year projects and theses, into the national education repository. This measure is designed to combat certificate forgery, strengthen quality assurance, and provide an independent record of continuous academic activity. Each academic work will display the full names of the student, supervisor, co-supervisor (if applicable), head of department, and the sponsoring institution.

NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima explained that the initiative will raise academic standards by making scholarly work publicly accessible. “If our eminent scholars know their names will appear on a globally available platform alongside their students, supervision quality will naturally improve,” she said.

Nationwide Enforcement and Digital Integration

The enforcement circular directs all higher institutions—public, private, military, and civilian—to fully implement the policy. Critical agencies such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will provide data exchange support to validate records through secure digital platforms. Institutions are required to complete onboarding via ned.gov.ng/onboarding.

The Federal Government has also approved a monetisation and reward mechanism to ensure that students and their supervisors can earn lifetime royalties from their deposited academic work.

Broader Impact on Education

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, earlier stated that the NERD policy applies equally to all institutions, including specialised research centres, colleges of nursing, and agricultural schools. He described the repository as a “quality assurance check and an independent proof of academic enrolment,” adding that it will safeguard Nigeria’s intellectual assets and restore credibility to academic qualifications.

Serving corps members and those already mobilised before the enforcement date will not be affected by the new rules. However, prospective graduates are advised to begin compliance immediately to avoid delays in their NYSC mobilisation.