The Federal Government has announced that all full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates will now be mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This decision was revealed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, following a meeting with the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu.
Dr. Alausa clarified that only full-time HND graduates are eligible for mobilization, while part-time HND graduates remain exempt from the process. This resolution addresses a long-standing issue regarding the mobilization of HND graduates for national service.
The announcement was made in a statement released to the press in Abuja on Thursday night, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, Folasade Boriowo.
In August 2024, the NYSC had announced that polytechnic graduates or HND holders without proof of completing the mandatory 12-month industrial training would not be eligible for registration at the NYSC orientation camp. This policy sparked widespread protests across the country.
According to the statement, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been instructed to expedite the process of gathering data for eligible full-time HND graduates. To support this, a circular has been sent to all polytechnic rectors, directing them to upload graduate data onto the newly created HND admission portal.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the NYSC mobilization will be limited to full-time HND graduates only. He also noted that the new portal will help streamline the documentation process, creating an official database for the mobilization of eligible graduates and addressing past issues with record-keeping.
“The Honourable Minister encouraged all eligible full-time HND graduates to take full advantage of this opportunity and proceed with their mobilization promptly. He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for all qualified Nigerian graduates and ensuring their meaningful contributions to national development through the NYSC scheme,” the statement concluded.
