Fijabi Olanrewaju
THE Federal Ministry of Education has announced clearance for full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, made public the resolution of the long-standing issue regarding the mobilization of Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
According to a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director, Press & Public Relations of the ministry, following a dialogue with the Director-General of NYSC, the Minister confirmed that only full-time HND graduates are eligible and can now proceed with their mobilization.
This development marks a significant breakthrough for full-time HND graduates who were previously excluded from the NYSC programme. It underscores the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to equity, fairness, and inclusivity in the nation’s education system.
To facilitate a seamless mobilization process, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been directed to expedite the collation of data for eligible HND graduates. In line with this, a circular has been sent to all Rectors of Polytechnics, instructing them to upload the necessary graduate data onto the newly created HND admission portal.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that NYSC mobilization is strictly for those who completed a full-time HND programme, stressing that only full-time HND graduates will be mobilized, while those who did HND part-time remain ineligible.
He further disclosed that the newly created portal will ensure proper documentation of full-time HND graduates and serve as the official database for NYSC mobilization, addressing past challenges related to admission records.
The Minister urges all eligible full-time HND graduates to take full advantage of this opportunity and proceed with their mobilization without delay. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering equal opportunities for all qualified Nigerian graduates and ensuring their contributions to national development through the NYSC scheme.
Meanwhile, Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will start receiving their monthly allowance of N77,000 starting in March 2025.
Disclosing this during an interactive session with corps members at the Wuse and Garki NYSC Zonal Offices in Abuja, on Thursday, the Director General of the scheme, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu reaffirmed the commitment of both the NYSC and the Federal Government to the welfare of corps members.
The development comes months after the NYSC announced the proposed increase of the allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, in line with the new Minimum Wage of N70,000 approved by President Bola Tinubu in July of 2024.
In the statement signed by the acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the NYSC said the approval of N77,000 was contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated 25 September 2024, and signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, in line with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.
The new NYSC DG, Nafiu, emphasised that the well-being of the corps members remained a top priority of the NYSC and urged them to remain calm, dedicated, focused, and disciplined in their service to the nation.
“With effect from March, you are going to receive the sum of N77,000 as your monthly allowance. The NYSC is good at record-keeping, and I can assure you that your money will be paid. The nation and the scheme appreciate you,” he stated.
He also commended the vision of the NYSC’s founding fathers, describing the scheme as an essential institution that fosters national unity by exposing graduates to diverse cultures across Nigeria. He assured corps members that NYSC management would continue to instil values such as patriotism, discipline, leadership, and teamwork in each new batch.
Eighteen-Eleven Media