The Federal Government has introduced a new requirement for graduates seeking mobilization into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC): submission of their academic projects and theses.
The policy, which takes effect from October 6, 2025, links NYSC mobilization to the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the reform by invoking Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the NYSC Act, directing that no graduate — local or foreign — will be mobilized or exempted from NYSC without proof of compliance.
The directive was issued through a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Under the NERD framework, graduates must deposit their final academic outputs, including project reports and theses, as part of a national effort to curb certificate fraud and preserve Nigeria’s intellectual heritage. Section 6.1.23 of the policy describes the measure as an independent quality assurance mechanism and proof of authentic academic enrolment.
In March 2025, while declaring the NERD policy effective, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa said submission of academic works had become a statutory requirement under Sections 2.3, 4.3(1), and 7.6.11(c) of the programme.
NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima explained that each submission must include the names of the student, supervisor, co-supervisor (if any), Head of Department, and the sponsoring institution. She added that making lecturers’ names appear alongside supervised works on a global platform will push for higher academic standards.
“Very few lecturers would want their names associated with poorly produced academic works,” Galadima noted. “NERD is therefore poised to help each lecturer earn his ‘earned allowances’ by providing thorough supervision.”