THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has reaffirmed its stance on the exclusion of part-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation, a decision that has sparked widespread concern among affected graduates.
The Explainer gathered that the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, recently announced that only full-time HND graduates are eligible for the mandatory one-year national service. This clarification follows years of debate over the status of polytechnic graduates, particularly those who pursued their studies on a part-time basis.
For many part-time HND graduates, this policy represents a significant barrier to career progression. According to data from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), over 30% of polytechnic students in Nigeria are enrolled in part-time programmes. This means that a considerable number of graduates—potentially tens of thousands annually—are automatically disqualified from participating in NYSC, a prerequisite for many government and corporate job opportunities.
The Explainer learned that the decision is tied to the long-standing requirement that NYSC mobilisation is strictly for full-time students who meet specific academic and industrial training criteria. A statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, reinforced this stance:
“The Honourable Minister urges all eligible full-time HND graduates to take full advantage of this opportunity and proceed with their mobilisation without delay. However, those who obtained their HND through part-time studies remain ineligible.”
The exclusion of part-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation is rooted in the original provisions of the NYSC Act of 1973. The Act was primarily designed for graduates of full-time programmes from accredited universities and polytechnics. While full-time HND graduates have been integrated into the scheme over time, those who pursued part-time studies have remained ineligible.
In 2017, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) introduced the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) to ensure transparency and accountability in the admission process into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. This system requires that all admissions be processed through CAPS to be deemed legitimate. Consequently, JAMB discontinued the regularisation of illegal admissions conducted outside this system. This policy change means that part-time students who gained admission without JAMB’s formal approval cannot obtain the necessary admission letters required for NYSC registration.
Dr. Alausa reiterated this during his announcement, stating:
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“NYSC mobilisation is for those who completed a full-time HND programme. The newly created HND admission portal will ensure proper documentation and eliminate past challenges related to admission records.”
The Explainer gathered that part-time students often enrol in such programmes due to financial constraints or work commitments, making their exclusion from NYSC particularly frustrating. Many of them argue that they undergo the same academic rigour as their full-time counterparts, complete the same coursework, and even undertake the mandatory one-year industrial training.
A 2018 report by Stutern, in partnership with BudgIT and Jobberman, titled “The Nigerian Graduate Report,” offers relevant insights into graduate employment in Nigeria. According to the survey, a majority of graduates who completed their studies within the last five years were unemployed (28.9%), while 26.3% were in full-time paid employment. Additionally, about 16% were participating in the NYSC program, with 13.4% engaged in entrepreneurship, freelance, or other self-employment activities.
This data underscores the employment challenges faced by Nigerian graduates, highlighting the significance of the NYSC program in enhancing employability. While the report doesn’t specifically address part-time HND graduates, it provides context on the broader employment landscape for graduates in Nigeria.
