New NYSC Policy Puts HND Graduates' National Service Participation at Risk

A recent policy change by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is jeopardizing the participation of many Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates in the national service. The NYSC has announced that HND graduates must now provide evidence of completing a one-year mandatory Industrial Training (IT) as a prerequisite for registration at the orientation camp.

This new requirement has caused concern among graduates, many of whom fear they may be disqualified from participating in the 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course, scheduled to begin on August 28. The policy mandates that graduates must submit proof of their IT completion in addition to their National Diploma (ND) and HND certificates or statements of results.

The NYSC's decision is based on the legal requirement that the one-year IT program is a prerequisite for admission into HND programs. However, many polytechnics and mono-technics have reportedly failed to verify IT compliance before admitting students into their HND programs, leading to confusion and potential disqualification for many graduates.

One affected graduate from Kaduna State Polytechnic, identified as Hauwa, expressed her concern about the new policy. "I’m excited to start my service, but I’m worried that I might not be admitted into camp due to this new requirement. My school did not inform us about the need to provide the mandatory IT certificate, and I fear this could disqualify me," she said.

Many affected graduates have pleaded with the NYSC to intervene with their institutions, arguing that they were admitted without being required to provide the IT certificate and were unaware of the necessity until now.