The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed that only graduates with a valid compliance certificate from the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD Certificate) will be mobilized for national service.
The announcement was made by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, during the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Pre-Mobilization Workshop held in Abuja.
According to the NYSC, the move is part of ongoing efforts to curb certificate fraud, strengthen transparency, and ensure that only properly verified graduates are mobilized for the national service programme.
SEE ALSO: NERD announces clearance verification process for recent graduates and PCMs
Why NYSC Introduced the NERD Certificate Requirement
The NYSC explained that the new enforcement is aimed at improving accountability within the mobilization process and reducing the circulation of fake academic credentials.
The Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) serves as a verification platform designed to authenticate academic records and ensure that graduates presented for mobilization are genuinely qualified.
Speaking during the workshop themed:
“Strengthening Institutional Accountability and Compliance in the NYSC Mobilization Process for Effective Service Delivery”
General Nafiu stressed that institutions must comply fully with the directive and properly sensitise their students before mobilization begins.
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What NYSC Said About the Mobilization Process
The Director-General noted that the responsibility of maintaining a credible mobilization process should not rest on NYSC alone.
He called on:
- Regulatory agencies
- Security organisations
- Educational institutions
- Relevant ministries and stakeholders to support the process through:
1. Policy implementation
2. Compliance monitoring
3. Capacity building
4. Verification enforcement
According to him, collaboration among stakeholders will help ensure that the transition from graduation to national service remains smooth, transparent, and credible for Prospective Corps Members (PCMs).
SEE ALSO: How to process NYSC revalidation and remobilization
Important Message to Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs)
NYSC urged all Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs) and Student Affairs Officers (SAOs) to handle student records carefully and maintain integrity throughout the mobilization process.
The NYSC Director of Corps Mobilization, Mrs. Rachel Ideawor, described the workshop as an important platform for improving cooperation between NYSC and tertiary institutions nationwide.
She also advised Student Affairs Officers to:
- Ensure accurate student data submission
- Verify graduate information properly
- Avoid errors and false documentation
- Maintain professionalism during mobilization procedures
Stakeholders Present at the Workshop
The pre-mobilization workshop was attended by representatives from several major agencies and institutions, including:
- Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)
- National Universities Commission (NUC)
- National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)
- Federal Ministry of Education
- Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD)
- SIDMACH Technologies
- Student Affairs Officers from various institutions
A total of 266 Student Affairs Officers reportedly participated in the workshop.
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What This Means for Prospective Corps Members (PCMs)
The latest directive means that graduates seeking NYSC mobilization may now need proper verification through the NERD system before they can proceed for national service.
Prospective Corps Members are advised to:
- Stay updated through their institutions
- Ensure their academic records are properly verified
- Confirm compliance requirements before mobilization
- Avoid issues related to incomplete or unverifiable documentation
Graduates are also encouraged to work closely with their Student Affairs Divisions for guidance regarding the NERD compliance process.
SEE ALSO: Correct your JAMB/NIN date of birth now to avoid NYSC registration issues
Final Note
The NYSC says the introduction and enforcement of the NERD compliance certificate is part of broader efforts to strengthen the credibility, transparency, and efficiency of the national service mobilization process.
Prospective Corps Members and tertiary institutions are advised to comply fully with the directive to avoid delays or disqualification during future NYSC mobilization exercises.
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