In a significant clarification, the Federal Ministry of Education has reaffirmed that full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates remain eligible for mobilization into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.
The announcement, made by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alaussa, on March 20, 2025, resolves a recent controversy that had disrupted the mobilization process for some HND graduates.
Historically, full-time HND graduates have been eligible to participate in the NYSC program since its establishment in 1973, serving alongside their university counterparts.
However, in recent years, particularly since 2023, confusion arose when the NYSC began excluding HND graduates who had completed their National Diploma (ND) on a part-time basis, even if their subsequent HND was full-time.
This shift led to protests across the country, with affected graduates decrying the policy as unfair. For instance, in January 2025, Sahara Reporters documented protests in Lagos by HND graduates who were denied registration for the Batch C Stream 2 mobilization due to their part-time ND status, despite having completed their HND full-time.
The March 20, 2025, circular from the Federal Ministry of Education addresses this issue head-on. Following a dialogue with the Director-General of NYSC, Dr. Alaussa confirmed that only full-time HND graduates are eligible for mobilization, explicitly excluding those who pursued their HND on a part-time basis.
The Minister emphasized, “NYSC mobilization is strictly for those who completed a full-time HND program,” clarifying that the recent exclusions were due to inconsistencies in applying this rule, particularly for graduates with part-time ND backgrounds.
This resolution marks a return to the long-standing practice of including full-time HND graduates in the NYSC scheme, ensuring that those who meet the criteria can serve without further delays. To facilitate a seamless process, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to expedite the collection of data for eligible HND graduates.
A circular has also been issued to all polytechnic rectors, instructing them to upload graduate data onto a newly created HND admission portal. This portal will serve as the official database for NYSC mobilization, addressing past challenges with admission records and ensuring proper documentation for full-time HND graduates.
Dr. Alaussa urged all eligible full-time HND graduates to take advantage of this opportunity and proceed with their mobilization without delay. “This clarification ensures that full-time HND graduates can continue to contribute to national development through the NYSC scheme, as they have done for decades,” he stated.T
he Federal Ministry of Education’s announcement reflects its commitment to fostering equity and fairness in Nigeria’s education system, resolving recent disruptions, and ensuring that all qualified Nigerian graduates have the opportunity to participate in the NYSC program.
