The Federal Government has directed that graduates must submit their theses or final-year projects to the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) before they can be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The new policy, which takes effect on October 6, applies to all graduates—both from Nigerian institutions and those trained abroad. No graduate will be mobilised or granted exemption from the NYSC without proof of compliance.
The directive was issued through a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, following President Bola Tinubu’s approval. The circular noted that the adjustment to NYSC mobilisation criteria was in line with the President’s regulation requiring proof of NERD compliance for all prospective corps members.
Under the new rules, students must upload their academic work to the national database. Section 6.1.23 of the NERD guidelines describes the requirement as both “a quality assurance check” and “a yearly independent proof of continuous academic enrolment and affiliation.”
NERD spokesperson, Haula Galadima, explained that the repository aims to strengthen the quality of academic output nationwide. She said the database will carry full details of deposited works, including the student’s name, supervisor, head of department, and sponsoring institution.
Galadima added that the initiative would also enhance accountability among university supervisors. “If scholars know their names will appear publicly alongside their students’ work, they will be motivated to uphold higher standards. Few lecturers would want to be associated with poorly produced academic works,” she stated.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had earlier confirmed the policy, stressing that submission of academic outputs would be compulsory. The approved framework also includes an academic monetisation mechanism that allows students and lecturers to earn revenue from their deposited works.
According to the SGF’s circular, the enforcement covers graduates from universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and foreign institutions. However, it clarified that the new rules will not affect those already serving in the NYSC or graduates mobilised before October 6.
The Federal Government said the reform is designed to curb certificate racketeering, safeguard intellectual property, and boost the credibility of Nigeria’s higher education qualifications.
