Why Some HND Full-time  Graduates Cannot Participate in NYSC – JAMB Registrar Oloyede Explains

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has clarified that it is not responsible for admissions into Higher National Diploma programmes or for the inability of some polytechnic graduates to participate in the National Youth Service Corps scheme.

The Registrar of JAMB, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, made this clarification during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students, led by Comrade Eshofune Paul Oghayan. The discussion focused on concerns raised by polytechnic students regarding challenges faced by some Higher National Diploma graduates who have been unable to secure mobilisation for the NYSC programme.

According to a statement released by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the Registrar explained that JAMB’s mandate does not extend to HND admissions and therefore the Board cannot be held responsible for issues relating to the mobilisation of such graduates.

Over the years, many HND graduates have faced challenges with NYSC mobilisation, particularly those who completed their National Diploma programmes through part-time or non-regular study before proceeding to full-time HND programmes. Under current NYSC regulations, candidates are typically required to have completed their highest academic qualification through full-time study to be eligible for mobilisation.

Irregularities in admission procedures, including part-time ND classifications or admissions that were not properly processed, often lead to complications during the NYSC verification process. In many cases, affected graduates are either denied mobilisation or issued exemption certificates instead of being allowed to participate in the national service scheme.

These challenges have led to frustration among some polytechnic graduates, with a number of them attributing the situation to alleged data processing issues involving JAMB.

However, Professor Oloyede stressed that JAMB’s responsibilities are limited to conducting entrance examinations and processing admissions into first-degree programmes, National Diploma programmes in polytechnics, and the Nigerian Certificate in Education offered by colleges of education.

He explained that admissions into Higher National Diploma programmes are handled directly by individual polytechnics and are therefore outside the jurisdiction of the Board.

“The Board does not admit students into HND programmes in polytechnics and therefore does not maintain records that could be used for NYSC mobilisation,” Oloyede said.

He advised students who have concerns regarding HND admissions or NYSC mobilisation challenges to direct their complaints to the appropriate institutions responsible for handling such matters.

The JAMB Registrar also highlighted the role of the Central Admissions Processing System in ensuring transparency and efficiency in the tertiary education admission process. CAPS, according to him, was introduced to automate admissions, restore institutional autonomy, expand opportunities for candidates, prevent multiple admissions, and provide greater transparency in the system.

He emphasised that any admission conducted outside the CAPS platform is considered invalid.

The automated system, he noted, also helps candidates access information about available institutions and programmes, while addressing many of the challenges previously associated with manual admission processes.

Oloyede further revealed that some institutions admit more National Diploma students than the quotas approved by the National Board for Technical Education. Such practices, he explained, can create discrepancies that later affect the academic records of ND graduates who proceed to HND programmes, particularly when they transfer to different institutions.

He also expressed concern over what he described as “Daily Part-Time” HND programmes run by some institutions. According to him, such programmes are often considered irregular, and graduates from these unconventional arrangements are frequently rejected during the NYSC mobilisation process.

The Registrar disclosed that investigations have uncovered cases of illegal admissions in some institutions, with one institution reportedly recording more than 42,000 irregular admission cases.

He stressed that strict adherence to approved admission procedures is essential to prevent future complications for students and graduates.

“If institutions follow the proper admission processes, these issues will not arise. On our part, we will continue to provide quality services that benefit all stakeholders in the education sector. Everyone must ensure that the right procedures are followed,” Oloyede said.