ABUJA: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping reform that makes submission of academic projects and theses a mandatory condition for participation in or exemption from the National Youth Service Corps NYSC.
The directive, conveyed through a circular by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Senator George Akume, aligns with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank NERD. It takes effect on October 6, 2025.
According to the circular, “no Nigerian graduate—whether from a university, polytechnic, college of education, or overseas institution—will henceforth be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of NERD compliance.”
The policy requires every graduate to deposit academic outputs, including project reports and theses, into the national education repository. This is designed to curb certificate racketeering, safeguard intellectual assets, and restore credibility to academic qualifications.
The NERD Policy, declared effective in March by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, applies equally to all higher institutions—public, private, civilian, or military. It also extends to schools of nursing, agriculture, and specialised research institutes.
While clarifying the significance of the policy, NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima explained that every submission will carry the names of the student, supervisor, co-supervisor, Head of Department, and sponsoring institution. This, she said, will strengthen academic supervision and improve the quality of research output nationwide.
The government also approved a monetisation scheme that allows students and their supervisors to earn lifetime royalties from deposited academic works. Institutions are further encouraged to establish local repositories linked to the central databank.
The directive, however, exempts serving corps members and those mobilised before the October 6 enforcement date.
With this reform, Tinubu’s administration aims to make academic accountability a prerequisite for national service while ensuring Nigeria’s intellectual resources are properly documented and rewarded.
