The Federal Government has approved the mobilization of all full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates for participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa.
According to the statement, only graduates who completed their HND programs on a full-time basis will be eligible for mobilization, while those who studied part-time will remain ineligible.
This decision addresses the longstanding concerns of HND graduates who were previously excluded from the NYSC scheme despite meeting academic requirements. The Ministry described the move as a step towards promoting fairness, inclusivity, and equity in the education sector.
To ensure a smooth implementation, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to fast-track the collation of data for eligible graduates. Additionally, all polytechnic rectors have been instructed to upload graduate records to a newly developed HND admission portal, which will serve as the official database for NYSC mobilization.
The Education Minister emphasized that the new portal will enhance proper documentation of eligible graduates and resolve previous challenges related to record verification. He urged all qualified full-time HND graduates to take advantage of the opportunity and proceed with their mobilization without delay.
“This marks a major breakthrough for full-time HND graduates who were previously excluded from the NYSC program,” the statement read. “The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to ensuring equity, fairness, and inclusivity in Nigeria’s education system. The Honourable Minister encourages all eligible graduates to complete their mobilization process promptly and contribute to national development through the NYSC scheme.”
