The National Youth Service Corps has announced that polytechnic graduates or Higher National Diploma holders without proof of completing the mandatory 12-month Industrial Training will not be registered at orientation camps for the national youth service.
This new policy, confirmed by the NYSC’s acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Caroline Lembu, requires polytechnic and mono-technic graduates to present an IT certification as part of their registration documents for the one-year national service.
The policy was introduced to ensure that only candidates who have fulfilled all academic requirements, including the industrial attachment, are allowed to participate.
Lembu emphasized that the IT certificate is a prerequisite for obtaining an HND and is essential for admission into the NYSC camp.
“The certificate of industrial training is required at the camp for registration. Candidates will be admitted to the camp, but whether they are registered depends on the presence of this document,” she said.
The policy is already being enforced nationwide.
In Osun State, NYSC Public Relations Officer Funmi Okundaye confirmed that HND holders without IT certificates were sent back to obtain the necessary documentation.
“It’s a national policy aimed at sanitizing the education sector. Those without IT letters were asked to go home and return with them,” Okundaye stated.
Similarly, NYSC officials in Niger and Kano states reported that polytechnic graduates without IT certification were not being registered.
“Until we receive a counter directive, these candidates will not be allowed into the camp,” said Sam Oga, NYSC spokesperson in Niger State.
The policy has received support from the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics ASUP National President, Mr. Shammah Kpanja, explained that the IT is a crucial component of the National Diploma programme and a necessary requirement for advancing to the HND.
“The industrial attachment provides essential practical skills that students must acquire before proceeding to the HND. Skipping this step deprives them of vital industry experience,” Kpanja said.
