NYSC Mobilization for HND Graduates: Latest Update and Way Forward

In our last update, we reported that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director-General (DG) was yet to respond following a protest by students in Lagos regarding the mobilization of Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates with a part-time background.

The latest development from the recent meeting reveals that the NYSC DG has stated that all full-time HND graduates with a part-time background will require a confirmation letter from the Ministry of Education (MOE) before they can be mobilized for the NYSC program. This implies that only the Ministry of Education has the authority to change this policy.

How It All Started

The issue began last year when the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) scrapped JAMB regularization, leading to the suspension of NYSC mobilization for HND graduates with a part-time background. This decision triggered protests from the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS).

During the protests, JAMB shifted the responsibility to polytechnic institutions, while polytechnic rectors claimed the issue was JAMB’s responsibility. JAMB then directed the affected graduates to NYSC, which, in turn, referred them back to JAMB.

To address the confusion, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) intervened by creating a portal for all HND students. The agreement reached at that time stated that there would be no mobilization for HND graduates with a part-time background. However, students admitted from 2024 onwards could be mobilized starting in 2026. Those already affected by the policy were advised to move on.

Renewed Protests and NBTE’s Intervention

Dissatisfied with this outcome, students from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), and other institutions, alongside NAPS, staged another protest against the perceived discrimination against HND graduates. Following this, NBTE issued a crucial statement in January, confirming that all full-time HND graduates would be mobilized for NYSC.

NBTE’s Executive Secretary, Professor Idris Bugaje, expressed his willingness to meet with the NYSC DG to clarify that the mobilization issue affects full-time HND graduates, not ND part-time students.

However, the NYSC DG appears to be insisting on an official directive. According to the latest update, he has stated:

“A letter from the Ministry of Education is required before the affected students can be mobilized.”

What This Means and the Way Forward

This statement reinforces that only the Ministry of Education can modify the policy. Therefore, NAIJA POLY TV urges all stakeholders—including NAPS, Students’ Union Governments (SUGs), rectors, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and polytechnic students—to call the Ministry of Education’s attention to this pressing issue. A directive from the ministry to NYSC could resolve the matter and allow all full-time HND graduates to participate in the national service program.

Note: NAIJA POLY TV is yet to confirm whether Professor Bugaje has met with the NYSC DG on this matter.

Conclusion

As things stand, the issue is no longer with JAMB or NYSC but now rests solely with the Minister of Education. Stakeholders must act swiftly by engaging with the Ministry of Education to issue a directive letter to NYSC, ensuring that all full-time HND graduates are mobilized for national service.