In Nigeria, many Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates from polytechnics have found themselves stranded for months or even years, awaiting mobilization into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has attributed these delays primarily to the failure of polytechnic institutions to comply with academic procedures and maintain proper documentation.
As of now, the mobilization process remains hindered by administrative bottlenecks and limited quotas allocated by the NYSC. Each institution receives a fixed number of mobilization slots, making it impossible for thousands of graduates to be mobilized simultaneously. An anonymous official from Kaduna State Polytechnic highlighted this challenge, emphasizing the constraints faced by educational institutions.
The NBTE has taken steps to address these issues by strengthening its verification process through the HND Admission Portal. Only graduates from programs accredited by the NBTE are eligible for NYSC mobilization, which further complicates the situation for those who may not meet these criteria.
Idris Bugaje, a representative of the NBTE, pointed out that some institutions violate existing policies by admitting students into HND programs without allowing them to complete the mandatory one-year Industrial Training. This policy has been in place for a long time, but non-compliance continues to affect the mobilization of graduates.
According to education analysts, Nigerian universities and polytechnics produce approximately 600,000 graduates annually. However, the NYSC is only able to mobilize between 240,000 and 350,000 corps members each year, resulting in a significant backlog of graduates waiting for their turn.
The recent increase in corps members’ monthly allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 has also impacted mobilization rates, as the NYSC must balance financial resources with the number of graduates eligible for service.
As the situation stands, polytechnic graduates are encouraged to communicate any mobilization challenges to the NBTE or NYSC for resolution. The ongoing delays in mobilization not only affect the graduates’ career prospects but also highlight the systemic issues within the educational and administrative frameworks governing NYSC participation.
In summary, the mobilization of polytechnic graduates into the NYSC remains a pressing issue, with various factors contributing to the delays. The NBTE’s efforts to streamline the process may provide some relief, but compliance from educational institutions is crucial for effective resolution.