The Federal Government moves to link the NYSC Mobilization to the Students’ Final Year Project
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved a reform policy that links the National Youth Service Corps NYSC mobilization process and approval to the National Policy of Nigeria’s Education Repository and Databank (NERD).
This takes effect by October 6, as detailed in a circular from Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Without proof of compliance with the NERD framework, neither foreign nor Nigerian students will be mobilized or exempted from the NYSC scheme. This is in line with Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the NYSC Act.
In a bid to comply with the NERD framework, students are mandated to submit their final year projects or thesis. This works with the Section 6.1.23 of the NERD policy, which serves as an independent quality assurance measure and proof of academic enrolment for the students.
Speaking on the reform policy, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, stated that the reform policy was to introduce effectiveness into the education system and NYSC Mobilization.
Alausa said, “The approved stipulations for mandatory submission of academic outputs as provided in Sections 2.3, 4.3(1), and 7.6.11(c), among others, of the approved National Policy for the NERD Programme shall become obligatory requirements in Nigeria.”
Haula Galadima, NERD’s public relations officer, stated that each student would be required to submit relevant information alongside their project work. Information needed includes the full names of the student, supervisor, co-supervisor (where applicable), and head of department, along with the sponsoring institution and department.
Galadima said, “Apart from the mandate to verify for authenticity as a national flagship, the NERD digitization program has a clear objective—to raise the bar in the quality of academic content, output, and presentation nationwide.”
“If our eminent scholars are aware that their names will appear next to those of the students they supervise on a globally available digital platform, there is the likelihood that each lecturer would up his or her standard.”
She further said. “Very few lecturers would want their names associated with poorly produced academic works. NERD is therefore poised to help each lecturer earn his ‘earned allowances’ by providing thorough supervision.”
The integration of NYSC mobilization with the NERD policy marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to academic accountability and intellectual preservation.
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