Amanze Chinonye
The Federal Government has made the submission of academic theses, projects, or dissertations a compulsory requirement for all graduates seeking mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
The directive, contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, takes effect October 6, 2025.
The new policy ties NYSC mobilisation and exemption to compliance with the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD), a national academic databank designed to digitise, preserve, and verify academic outputs from Nigerian and foreign institutions.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to the circular, no graduate whether trained locally or abroad will be eligible for NYSC or exemption without evidence of NERD compliance.
Graduates must upload their final-year projects, undergraduate theses, postgraduate dissertations, or similar academic works to the NERD platform before clearance for NYSC mobilisation or exemption.
Universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have been directed to establish NERD compliance units to ensure that graduates submit the required documents before their names are forwarded to NYSC.
Each deposited work must include metadata such as the student’s name, institution, department, supervisor, and year of graduation. NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima explained that the initiative will “safeguard Nigeria’s intellectual heritage, reduce certificate forgery, and improve accountability in academic institutions.”
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The SGF stated that the measure is supported by Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the NYSC Act, which empower the President to alter mobilisation criteria in line with national priorities.
The Ministry of Education added that linking thesis submission to NYSC would strengthen Nigeria’s research culture, curb academic fraud, and create a reliable repository of indigenous knowledge for future generations.
The directive will apply to all graduates seeking mobilisation for the 2025 Batch C and subsequent streams, as well as those applying for exemption certificates. Current corps members and those mobilised before October 6 are not affected.
The policy has drawn mixed reactions. Education experts have praised it as a progressive reform that will preserve academic work and strengthen research integrity. Dr. Musa Ahmed, an Abuja-based education consultant, said the move would “instil a research culture in young Nigerians and ensure that years of academic work are not lost in departmental shelves.”
However, student groups, including the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), expressed concerns about the readiness of institutions to meet the new requirements.
Many universities lack the infrastructure for large-scale digitisation, while some graduates fear additional costs or delays. “Some of us don’t even have digital copies of our projects anymore. If NYSC insists on this, many graduates could be stranded,” a prospective corps member told reporters.
Supporters argue that the policy will help preserve thousands of academic works each year, curb certificate fraud, promote research-based policymaking, and enhance transparency in higher education. But experts warn of obstacles such as inadequate digital infrastructure, verification bottlenecks, and the short window before enforcement. Analysts have urged the government to provide funding and technical support to universities, create an appeals process for graduates facing genuine constraints, and consider a phased implementation to ease compliance.
With the October deadline approaching, all eyes are on the Ministry of Education, the NYSC, and tertiary institutions to ensure a smooth rollout. For prospective corps members, the message is clear: no thesis, no service.
Graduates must secure digital copies of their academic projects and confirm upload to NERD if they intend to participate in the mandatory national service or obtain exemption.
With millions of graduates passing through the NYSC scheme each year, the directive is set to reshape the academic and career trajectory of Nigerian youths, making timely compliance with NERD a critical step not only for national service but also for entry into the country’s formal job market.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
