Abuja, Nigeria | September 29, 2025
The Federal Government has approved a new policy requiring all graduates to submit their final year projects, dissertations, or thesis to the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) as a condition for mobilisation into or exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
According to a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and conveying the approval of President Bola Tinubu, the directive will take effect from October 6, 2025. The measure applies to graduates from both Nigerian and foreign institutions.
The policy, officials said, adjusts NYSC mobilisation criteria in line with the President’s regulation, making proof of NERD compliance mandatory before any graduate can be mobilised or considered for exemption.
It is designed to curb certificate racketeering, strengthen academic integrity, and preserve Nigeria’s intellectual assets.
The directive also mandates universities and tertiary institutions to establish local repositories that will feed into the national databank. Reports indicate that academic contributions stored in the system may, in future, generate financial benefits for students and lecturers.
The policy does not apply to corps members already serving or those mobilised before the October 6 deadline.
