FG Makes Thesis Submission to National Education Database Mandatory for NYSC Mobilisation

The Federal Government has approved a new policy mandating all graduates to submit their theses and final-year projects into the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) as a prerequisite for mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

According to a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the directive—approved by President Bola Tinubu—will take effect from October 6, 2025. No graduate, whether from Nigerian institutions or abroad, will be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of compliance.

The circular stated that NYSC mobilisation criteria have been adjusted in line with the President’s directive, making NERD compliance compulsory for all prospective corps members.

The policy requires all academic outputs, including theses and project reports, to be deposited in the national database. Section 6.1.23 of the NERD guidelines describes this measure as a quality assurance tool and an annual independent verification of academic enrolment and affiliation.

Explaining the reform, NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima said the digitisation programme aims to improve the quality of academic work nationwide. She noted that each submission will carry the names of the student, supervisor, co-supervisor (if any), Head of Department, and sponsoring institution, adding that this transparency would push lecturers and students to uphold higher standards.

“Very few lecturers would want their names associated with poorly produced academic works,” Galadima stressed.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, had earlier declared the NERD policy effective in March, emphasising that submission of academic outputs would be a compulsory requirement under sections of the National Policy on NERD.

The approved policy also includes an academic output monetisation mechanism, enabling students and lecturers to earn lifetime revenue from their deposited works.

According to the SGF’s circular, the enforcement applies to graduates of Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and foreign institutions but exempts those already serving or mobilised before the October 6 commencement date.

The Federal Government explained that the move is designed to curb certificate racketeering, safeguard Nigeria’s intellectual property, and strengthen the credibility of higher education qualifications.