By Anita John 
Nigeria’s federal government said that graduates will no longer be eligible for mobilisation or exemption letter from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) unless they comply with a new education databank policy taking effect on Oct. 6.
The directive, issued in a circular from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, makes adherence to the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) mandatory under provisions of the NYSC Act.
The databank, launched to curb certificate racketeering and abuse of academic titles, requires students to deposit evidence of academic work such as theses or project reports. The government says the move will strengthen quality assurance and provide yearly proof of academic enrolment.
“No Nigerian graduate, whether from a domestic or overseas institution, will be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of NERD compliance after the enforcement date,” the circular said. Serving corps members or those already enrolled before Oct. 6 will not be affected.
The education ministry first declared the NERD policy effective in March, mandating all institutions — public, private, military, nursing, and agricultural colleges — to adopt it. Universities and government agencies are required to file annual compliance reports from March 30.
NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima said the system would enhance supervision of academic content and includes a reward mechanism allowing students and lecturers to earn lifetime royalties on their deposited work.
The circular added that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and other agencies will provide technical support through data exchange systems to validate records.
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