The Federal Government has announced a new directive that makes the submission of final year projects a compulsory condition for the mobilisation of graduates into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
This policy, recently approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s education system and safeguard intellectual property.
The measure, which takes effect from October 6, was communicated through a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
It links NYSC mobilisation directly to compliance with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD).
READ ALSO, Kogi East Stakeholders Pass Votes of Confidence on Tinubu, Ododo
Under the guidelines, graduates of both Nigerian and foreign universities will not be mobilised—or exempted—for NYSC unless they provide proof of having deposited their academic works in the NERD database.
The repository, officials explained, is aimed at curbing certificate forgery while ensuring that research outputs are preserved for national development.
Speaking on the policy, NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima emphasised that all project submissions must clearly include the names of the student, supervisor, co-supervisor (if applicable), department head, and the institution of study.
She noted that the visibility of these details would motivate lecturers to uphold higher academic standards, since their reputations would be tied to the quality of students’ work.
News Hour Video; FG ASSURES OF TIMELY COMPLETION OF ROAD PROJECT IN KOGI
“This programme is not only about preserving knowledge but also about raising the bar in academic supervision,” Galadima said.
“When lecturers know their names will appear globally alongside their students’ projects, they are less likely to allow substandard work.”
The policy had earlier been announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in March 2025 as part of efforts to digitise higher education outputs. With the President’s approval, the directive now makes project submission an inescapable requirement for every graduate seeking NYSC mobilisation in Nigeria.
