The Federal Government has announced a new policy mandating the submission of final-year academic projects as a prerequisite for mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The directive, which takes effect from October 6, was disclosed in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of sweeping reforms under Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the NYSC Act.

 

The reform aligns with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD), and requires all graduates—whether seeking NYSC mobilisation or exemption—to comply by uploading their final-year projects, theses, or other academic works to a national database.

• Graduates must submit and upload their academic projects into the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank.

• The submission is compulsory for both NYSC mobilisation and issuance of exemption certificates.

• The initiative is designed to:

• Combat certificate fraud

• Preserve Nigeria’s intellectual property

• Strengthen academic integrity across tertiary institutions

The circular emphasised that this reform is part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s education system, promote transparency, and create a centralised archive of the nation’s academic output.

 

The move also reflects growing concern about academic malpractice and the proliferation of fake certificates, especially in the context of global and local employment verification processes.

 

Next Steps for Students and Institutions

 

All tertiary institutions are expected to:

• Inform final-year students of the new requirement immediately

• Ensure that necessary upload portals and documentation processes are in place

• Collaborate with relevant government bodies to ensure smooth implementation

 

Students preparing for NYSC from October 6 onwards must ensure their projects are uploaded to the NERD platform to avoid disqualification from service mobilisation or exemption issuance.

 

This policy marks a significant shift in the NYSC mobilisation process and is expected to have a profound impact on how academic records are handled in Nigeria going forward.