The National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), has issued a new circular announcing that compliance with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) has become a compulsory requirement for all graduates seeking mobilisation or exemption from the scheme. This development follows a recent approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as earlier reported by DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS.
According to the circular dated October 7, 2025, and released from the NYSC Directorate Headquarters, Yakubu Gowon House, Abuja, the directive takes effect from the 2025 Batch ‘C’ mobilisation exercise.
The document referenced as NYSC/DHQ/CM/M/373/VOL.3/81 was addressed to all Heads and Registrars of Corps Producing Institutions.
The circular reads: “Consequent on the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval on the above as conveyed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s (SGF) circular Ref No: 58524/III/579 dated 8th August, 2025, I am directed to inform you that beginning from 2025 Batch ‘C’, only uploads with NERD clearance will be processed for mobilization in line with the policy.”
It further stated that graduates are to “report to orientation camps with their NERD clearance slips as this now forms part of requirement for registration at the camp.”
The statement, signed by Mrs Idaewor R.O, Director of Corps Mobilisation, on behalf of the Director-General, also thanked institutions for their cooperation while assuring them of the Director-General’s highest regards.
The NERD Policy, which was launched earlier this year by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is part of a broader national education data initiative. Section 6.1.23 of the policy provides that such submissions “will serve as a quality assurance check and as a yearly independent proof of continuous academic enrolment and affiliation” while helping to create a permanent academic footprint for each student.
Under this system, students and lecturers can earn lifetime revenues from their academic works deposited in the repository. The proposal, which Dr. Alausa presented to the Federal Executive Council, aims to improve the quality of academic content and research output across Nigerian universities and colleges.
The directive also clarified that the policy “will not affect Corps members already serving or graduates who were enrolled before the enforcement date.”
This enforcement derives its authority from Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the NYSC Act and was part of Item 2(ix) of a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, confirming the presidential approval for a change in NYSC mobilisation criteria for both local and foreign-trained graduates.
