The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced that all prospective corps members will, from the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I orientation course, be required to present a compliance certificate issued by the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) as part of the mobilisation process.
Director-General of the scheme, Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday during the 2026 Batch ‘B’ pre-mobilisation workshop themed “Strengthening Institutional Accountability and Compliance in the NYSC Mobilisation Process.”
He said the new requirement aligns with a directive of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and is aimed at enhancing transparency, curbing certificate fraud and ensuring that only duly qualified graduates participate in the national service scheme.
“In line with our drive towards greater accountability, the NYSC shall enforce the directive mandating all prospective corps members to obtain and present a compliance certificate from NERD,” Nafiu stated, adding that the policy represents a decisive step towards sanitising the mobilisation system.
The NYSC boss emphasised that the integrity of the mobilisation process depends on effective collaboration among critical stakeholders, including Corps Producing Institutions and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), noting that the exercise is a shared responsibility.
“The mobilisation process is not the responsibility of NYSC alone; it is a collective enterprise. Synergy among stakeholders ensures a seamless, transparent and credible transition from student life to national service,” he said.
Nafiu further warned tertiary institutions against manipulation or distortion of graduate records, urging strict adherence to established guidelines. He also called for the adoption of innovative digital solutions to improve efficiency, monitoring and accountability within the system.
According to him, JAMB remains central to the authentication of admission and graduation records, while regulatory bodies are expected to provide policy direction and enforcement to safeguard the credibility of the scheme.
Also speaking, Director of Corps Mobilisation, Mrs Rachel Idaewor, described the workshop as a vital platform for strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Federal Ministry of Education.
She noted that although progress has been recorded in recent years, gaps still exist in the mobilisation value chain, requiring continuous reforms driven by technology and data accuracy.
“This workshop underscores our commitment to improving service delivery through enhanced accountability and compliance.
Leveraging digital tools will help streamline processes and maximise efficiency in mobilising Nigerian youths,” Idaewor said.
She urged Student Affairs Officers in tertiary institutions to ensure the accuracy and integrity of records submitted to the NYSC, stressing that institutional diligence remains critical to the success of the mobilisation framework.
The workshop drew participants from Corps Producing Institutions, regulatory agencies and senior NYSC officials nationwide, with deliberations focused on addressing systemic challenges and charting a sustainable path for reforms in the mobilisation process.
