Graduating students preparing for the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will now be required to submit their academic projects and thesis as a prerequisite for mobilisation.
This follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of a major reform tying the NYSC process to the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD).
By invoking Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the NYSC Act, the president directed that no graduate—whether from a Nigerian or foreign institution—will be mobilised or exempted from NYSC without evidence of compliance with the NERD framework.
The directive, contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, takes effect from October 6, 2025.
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Under the NERD programme, students are mandated to deposit academic outputs—including final-year projects and postgraduate theses—as part of a national drive to combat certificate fraud and preserve Nigeria’s intellectual resources.
Section 6.1.23 of the policy describes the measure as an independent quality assurance tool and proof of genuine academic enrolment.
The policy had earlier gained traction in March 2025, when the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, declared its full implementation, stressing that “mandatory submission of academic outputs” as outlined in Sections 2.3, 4.3(1), and 7.6.11(c) of the NERD Policy had become obligatory nationwide.
NERD spokesperson, Haula Galadima, underscored the importance of the directive, noting that each submission will carry the names of the student, supervisor, co-supervisor (where applicable), Head of Department, and sponsoring institution.
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According to her, the digital repository is designed not only to verify authenticity but also to raise the standard of academic output in Nigeria’s higher institutions.
“If our eminent scholars are aware that their names will appear next to those of the students they supervise on a globally available digital platform, there is the likelihood that each lecturer would raise his or her standard. Very few would want their names associated with poorly produced academic works,” Galadima said.
She added that the NERD digitisation programme is positioned to encourage thorough supervision, curb academic shortcuts, and safeguard Nigeria’s intellectual heritage for future generations.
