FG Mandates Thesis Submission For All NYSC Corps Members
THE PRESIDENCY
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION
Shehu Shagari Complex, Abuja – Nigeria
Ref No: SGF/NYSC/POL/2025/09
Date: 29th September, 2025
CIRCULAR
SUBJECT: MANDATORY SUBMISSION OF ACADEMIC WORKS TO THE NATIONAL EDUCATION REPOSITORY AND DATABANK (NERD) AS A REQUIREMENT FOR NYSC MOBILISATION/EXEMPTION
In line with the recently approved National Education Repository and Databank (NERD) Policy, and pursuant to Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, the Federal Government hereby issues the following directive for strict compliance by all stakeholders.
The Federal Government has introduced reforms to strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s education system, curb certificate fraud, and establish a national databank of academic outputs. These reforms are now directly tied to the eligibility criteria for participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Effective 6th October, 2025, the following provisions shall apply:
1. Mandatory Submission of Academic Outputs
All Nigerian graduates (from universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and foreign institutions) are required to submit their final-year projects, theses, or dissertations to the NERD platform.
2. Condition for Mobilisation and Exemption
Proof of NERD compliance shall be a mandatory condition for: Mobilisation into the NYSC programme, and
Grant of exemption/discharge certificates.
3. Scope of Application
This requirement applies to all graduates (home-trained and foreign-trained).
It shall not affect corps members who have already been mobilised or whose registration processes are completed before the effective date.
4. Institutional Responsibility
All tertiary institutions in Nigeria must ensure that their graduates’ academic works are properly deposited in the NERD system before forwarding names for mobilization.
Relevant MDAs, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), shall integrate and provide verification support through secure data exchange.
No graduate shall be mobilised for service or granted exemption without proof of compliance.
Non-compliance shall automatically disqualify the affected graduate from participation in the NYSC scheme.
Foreign-trained graduates must also comply before they can be considered for mobilisation or exemption.
This directive aims to:
Establish a credible national academic databank;
Safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s education system;
Provide a transparent verification mechanism for all graduates; and
Incentivise students and lecturers for contributing to the national knowledge base.
5. Compliance Timeline
All institutions, graduates, and relevant MDAs are directed to ensure full compliance not later than 6th October, 2025.
Signed:
Senator George Akume, CON
Secretary to the Government of the Federation.