The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reiterated its zero tolerance for all forms of fraud or malpractice in the mobilization of graduates for national service.
The NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made this known while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Mobilization Workshop held in Abuja.
According to a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Director of Information and Public Relations, General Nafiu noted that the NYSC has earned public confidence over the years for its transparent mobilization process. He assured that the scheme would continue to uphold the credibility of the exercise by maintaining the integrity of its human, technological, and material resources.
He explained that the theme of the workshop, “Enhancing Data Integrity for Credible Mobilization for National Service in Contemporary Times,” was carefully chosen in view of the rising number of unauthorized higher institutions in the country.
The NYSC helmsman identified data manipulation, identity theft, inconsistent data from Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs), weak inter-agency linkages, cybersecurity breaches, and low data management capacity as key challenges undermining the mobilization process.
General Nafiu expressed concern over the activities of unapproved study centres operating under dubious affiliations with accredited institutions, warning that the NYSC would continue to apply sanctions wherever such unethical practices are discovered.
“We must be conscious of the fact that the strength of our mobilization system depends not only on technology, but also on the ethics, discipline, and professionalism of those who handle the technology,” he said.
“Let us continue to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for compromise. Every Nigerian graduate who wears the NYSC uniform must be genuinely qualified and properly verified.”
In her address, the Director of Corps Mobilisation Department, Mrs. Rachel Idaewor, described the workshop as a critical platform for collaboration among the NYSC, Corps Producing Institutions, and other stakeholders.
She urged participants to ensure accuracy and integrity in all data uploaded during mobilization, emphasizing that the information must reflect the true profile of prospective corps members.
“Let us work together as a cohesive team, drawing inspiration from our past successes while embracing the challenges that lie ahead,” she added.
Also speaking, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, cautioned participants against data manipulation and other sharp practices. He disclosed that 17 individuals, including some JAMB officials, were currently being prosecuted for offences related to admission, graduation, and mobilization for national service.
He advised Student Affairs Officers to source data directly from JAMB and not from students or other unreliable sources.
In his remarks, the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD), Engr. Olatunji Ariyomo, pledged that the agency would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of its mandate as directed by the Federal Government.
