For years, the question, “Can Part Time Students Go For NYSC?” was met with a definitive and resounding “No.” However, in a landmark development that has reshaped the landscape of graduate mobilization in Nigeria, that answer has officially changed.
In a historic move, the Federal Government, through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Directorate, has officially approved the inclusion of graduates from Part-Time, Distance Learning, and Sandwich programmes for national service. This marks a fundamental shift in a policy that had stood since the scheme’s inception in 1973.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the update, the conditions, and the current state of implementation.
The Official Announcement and Policy Shift
The change was formally announced in January 2024. The pivotal moment came when the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, declared the approval after a meeting with the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, and the Registrar of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki.
The minister stated that the government had given the nod for these categories of graduates to participate in the national service. This decision was framed as an act of equity, aimed at ending the long-standing discrimination against graduates who acquired their degrees through these alternative but accredited modes of study.
The Critical Condition: Senate Approval and Issuance of Exclusion Certificates
While the policy has been approved in principle, a major procedural condition exists. This is the most crucial part of the update that all affected graduates must understand:
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Exclusion Letters are Mandatory: The NYSC has made it clear that graduates from these programmes (Part-Time, Distance Learning, Sandwich) will not be mobilized using the traditional Senate/Academic Board List used for full-time graduates.
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New Process: Instead, their respective institutions must issue them an Official Letter of Exclusion during their graduation. This letter, which previously stated they were excluded from service, will now be used as their entry document.
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Presentation for Mobilization: Graduates must present this original Letter of Exclusion from their institution to the NYSC for verification and subsequent mobilization for service.
In essence, the process is not automatic. Your university must provide you with this specific document at graduation. The NYSC will then authenticate this document before allowing you to proceed with online registration and mobilization.
Current Status and Implementation Timeline
As of the latest updates in the second quarter of 2024, the policy is in its implementation phase.
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Retroactive Application: The directive is retroactive. This means it applies not only to fresh graduates but also to those who graduated in past years from these programmes, provided they are still within the NYSC age limit (under 30 at the time of first degree graduation for full-time, but exceptions may be considered for this new category; official clarification on age is still being finalized).
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Institutional Compliance: The bottleneck currently lies with the institutions. Universities and polytechnics are working to adjust their administrative processes to start issuing the revised Exclusion Letters that qualify graduates for mobilization. Prospective corps members are advised to contact their alma mater’s Student Affairs or NYSC Mobilization Office for specific guidelines and timelines.
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NYSC Registration Portal: The NYSC registration portal is expected to be updated with a dedicated channel or process for graduates presenting Letters of Exclusion. Staying tuned to the official NYSC website (www.nysc.gov.ng) and verified social media handles is essential for the announcement of the exact start date for registration under this new category.
Key Implications and What Graduates Must Do Now
This update has significant implications:
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End of Discrimination: It removes a major career hurdle for millions of Nigerians who pursued education while working or fulfilling other life responsibilities.
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Public and Private Sector Opportunity: It grants these graduates the right to obtain the NYSC Discharge Certificate, which is mandatory for employment in government ministries and parastatals, and highly valued in the formal private sector.
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Action Steps for Eligible Graduates:
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First: Contact your institution’s administration to inquire about the process for obtaining the new official Letter of Exclusion.
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Second: Gather all your academic credentials and ensure you have a valid statement of result/certificate.
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Third: Regularly check the official NYSC portal for bulletins regarding the commencement of registration for this category.
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Fourth: Be prepared to provide the original copy of your Letter of Exclusion during the physical verification at the orientation camp.
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Conclusion: Can Part Time Students Go For NYSC
The inclusion of part-time and distance learning graduates in the NYSC scheme is a transformative policy update that corrects a historical gap in national service eligibility. While the presidential and ministerial approvals are secured, the practical mobilization is contingent on graduates obtaining the correct documentation from their institutions. The process is now in the hands of the universities and polytechnics to align with the new directive. Eligible graduates should proactively engage their institutions and monitor NYSC official channels closely. This long-awaited change promises to integrate a wider pool of Nigerian graduates into the national service framework, fostering greater inclusivity and opportunity.
