The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has introduced a new policy that bars polytechnic graduates from participating in the national youth service if they do not have proof of completing the mandatory 12-month Industrial Training (IT). This measure aims to ensure that graduates have the necessary practical experience before they are mobilized for service.
The NYSC’s acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Caroline Lembu, confirmed the policy in an interview on Thursday. She explained that presenting a certificate of Industrial Training is now a crucial requirement for Higher National Diploma (HND) holders who wish to participate in the NYSC program.
Mrs. Lembu clarified the policy, stating, “That is part of the requirement for obtaining an HND Certificate. It’s just that certificate they are asking for. They are not being rejected, they are just supposed to present it.”
She emphasized that all candidates are admitted into the camp, but their registration is contingent on providing the necessary documentation, including the IT certificate.
The enforcement of this policy began with the latest orientation camps, where HND holders without IT certificates were turned away across the country. In Osun State, for example, the NYSC Public Relations Officer, Funmi Okundaye, stated that those who arrived at the camp without the required IT letters were sent back to retrieve them.
Okundaye explained, “They were not evicted from camp. It is not an issue in the Osun camp alone. It is a national policy to sanitize the education sector. We sent those who don’t have IT letters back home to bring it.”
Similarly, in Niger State, NYSC spokesman Sam Oga confirmed that the policy was being strictly implemented.
Oga said, “Yes, we are implementing it. The NYSC HND candidates are not allowed into the camp without proof of IT. Until we get a counter directive they will not be allowed into the camp.”
The policy has also been enforced in Kano State, where an NYSC official, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “This is a directive from the NYSC headquarters in Abuja. So, we are just complying with the order.”
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has voiced its support for the NYSC’s decision. In a statement, ASUP National President, Mr. Shammah Kpanja, emphasized the importance of industrial attachment, describing it as an essential part of polytechnic education.
Kpanja explained, “The industrial attachment is an extension of the National Diploma programme and is a critical requirement for advancing to the Higher National Diploma. To be eligible for the HND, you must complete a one-year industrial attachment, where you acquire practical industry skills relevant to your field of study.”
He noted that some students had been bypassing this crucial step by falsely claiming to have completed the IT when applying for the HND. This not only undermines the value of the HND but also deprives students of the practical experience that is vital for their professional development.
“The one-year industrial attachment is not just a formality; it’s a mandatory part of the training, and the skills gained during this period are expected to be demonstrated during the HND programme,” Kpanja added.
The ASUP President further revealed that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) had communicated with the NYSC, reinforcing that the one-year IT is compulsory for all polytechnic graduates seeking to enroll in the HND program. This communication is part of broader efforts to maintain high educational standards and ensure that graduates possess the practical skills needed in their respective fields.