The Nigerian government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has announced a significant reform that mandates compliance with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) as a requirement for mobilization into or exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This directive aims to enhance the integrity of academic qualifications and curb certificate racketeering.
Effective from October 6, 2025, the new policy stipulates that all prospective Corps members must provide proof of NERD compliance, which includes the submission of academic outputs such as thesis or project reports. This measure is intended to serve as a quality assurance check and a means of documenting students’ academic activities.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, conveyed this directive in an enforcement circular, emphasizing that it applies to all graduates, whether from Nigerian institutions or those educated abroad. The policy seeks to restore credibility in Nigeria’s academic processes.
In addition to the compliance requirements, the government has introduced a monetization and reward mechanism for students and lecturers involved in the academic output process. This initiative aims to incentivize quality academic work and enhance the supervision of students by their lecturers.
While the policy does not affect current Corps members or those enrolled before the enforcement date, it represents a significant shift in the mobilization criteria for new graduates, aiming to safeguard the nation’s intellectual assets and improve the quality of education.
