FG Makes Thesis Submission Mandatory for NYSC Mobilisation

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that submission of students’ final year projects and theses into the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) will now be a compulsory requirement for mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The policy, approved by President Bola Tinubu and conveyed in a circular by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, takes effect from October 6. According to the circular, no graduate — whether from Nigerian or foreign institutions — will be mobilised for or exempted from the NYSC without proof of compliance.

Under the directive, students are required to deposit their academic works into the national database. Section 6.1.23 of the NERD guidelines describes the move as a “quality assurance check” and proof of continuous academic enrolment and affiliation.

Explaining the reform, NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima said the initiative was designed to improve academic standards and safeguard intellectual property.

“Beyond verification for authenticity, the digitisation programme seeks to raise the quality of academic content nationwide. Each deposited work will include the names of the student, supervisor, co-supervisor, Head of Department, and the sponsoring institution,” she said.

Galadima added that the system will also serve as an accountability measure for lecturers:
“If eminent scholars know their names will be displayed alongside those of students on a global platform, they will be more committed to ensuring quality supervision.”

The policy, first announced in March by Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, also includes an academic output monetisation mechanism, allowing students and lecturers to earn lifetime revenues from their deposited works.

According to the SGF’s circular, the directive applies to graduates from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, as well as Nigerians trained abroad. However, it will not affect those who have already been mobilised or are currently serving in the NYSC.

The Federal Government said the reform is aimed at curbing certificate racketeering, protecting Nigeria’s intellectual property, and enhancing the credibility of higher education qualifications.