NYSC Mobilisation Crisis: Thousands of Polytechnic Graduates Stranded After Graduation

Thousands of Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates from polytechnics across Nigeria are currently stranded months—and in some cases years—after completing their studies due to prolonged delays in mobilisation for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps programme.

The situation has sparked frustration among affected graduates, many of whom say the delay has disrupted their career plans and prevented them from securing employment opportunities.

Graduates Left Waiting

Investigations show that many polytechnic graduates who completed their programmes in 2025 are still waiting to be mobilised for the national service scheme.

Several affected graduates lamented that they have remained at home for months after graduation because they cannot proceed with their careers without participating in the scheme or obtaining an exemption certificate.

One graduate from Kano State Polytechnic said he had spent more than eight months waiting for mobilisation despite completing his programme the previous year.

Another graduate noted that while he and others were still waiting, younger students who began their programmes later in universities had already completed their national service and moved ahead with their careers.

Employment Opportunities Affected

The delay has had significant implications for employment prospects, as many Nigerian employers require applicants to present either a NYSC discharge certificate or proof of exemption before offering jobs.

As a result, thousands of graduates say they have been unable to apply for or secure formal employment while awaiting mobilisation.

Some graduates from Sokoto and Oyo states also expressed concerns that the prolonged wait is affecting their financial stability and mental well-being.

The National Youth Service Corps, established in 1973, requires Nigerian graduates under the age of 30 to participate in a one-year national service programme designed to promote national unity and development.

Institutions, Documentation Issues Blamed

Education authorities and institutions have cited multiple reasons for the delays.

Officials from some polytechnics attribute the problem to documentation challenges, including discrepancies in admission records and issues related to Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board registration numbers.

In other cases, graduates were reportedly rejected during the mobilisation upload process because of unrecognised or invalid admission details.

However, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has clarified that it is not responsible for Higher National Diploma admissions or mobilisation processes for NYSC, stating that its role is limited to facilitating admission into National Diploma and degree programmes.

Policy Violations by Institutions

The National Board for Technical Education has also blamed some polytechnics for failing to comply with established academic guidelines.

According to the board, some institutions allow students to proceed directly from National Diploma programmes into Higher National Diploma courses without completing the mandatory one-year Industrial Training required between the two programmes.

Such violations can make graduates ineligible for NYSC mobilisation until the academic sequence is corrected.

Calls for Urgent Intervention

Stakeholders in the education sector have called on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to address the growing backlog of graduates awaiting mobilisation.

Analysts warn that the continued delay could worsen youth unemployment and discourage confidence in the polytechnic education system if urgent reforms are not implemented.

For the affected graduates, however, the issue is more personal.

Many say they simply want the opportunity to complete their national service and move forward with their lives.