The Federal Government has announced that all full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates will now be eligible for mobilization into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
This decision was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, following a meeting with the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu.
According to the Minister, only those who completed their HND programs on a full-time basis will be mobilized. This resolution, addressing a long-standing issue regarding HND graduates’ participation in national service, was confirmed in a statement released in Abuja on Thursday night. The statement was signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, Folasade Boriowo.
In August 2024, the NYSC announced that polytechnic graduates or HND holders without proof of completing the mandatory 12-month industrial training would not be registered at orientation camps. This decision sparked nationwide protests in major cities.
Boriowo clarified that individuals who pursued HND programs on a part-time basis would remain ineligible for mobilization.
“To ensure a smooth mobilization process, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to expedite the collation of data for eligible HND graduates. Accordingly, all Rectors of Polytechnics have been instructed via a circular to upload the necessary graduate data onto a newly created HND admission portal,” the statement read.
Dr. Alausa reiterated that only full-time HND graduates qualify for NYSC mobilization, emphasizing that the new portal will help maintain proper documentation and serve as the official database for mobilization, resolving past issues related to admission records.
He encouraged all eligible full-time HND graduates to take advantage of this opportunity and proceed with their mobilization promptly. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for all qualified Nigerian graduates and ensuring their participation in national development through the NYSC scheme.
