President Bola Tinubu has approved new regulations making compliance with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) a mandatory requirement for mobilisation into or exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
According to a circular issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, the directive takes effect from October 6.
From that date, no Nigerian graduate from local or foreign institutions will be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of NERD compliance.
The policy requires students to deposit academic outputs such as theses and project reports, serving as a quality assurance mechanism and an independent record of continuous academic enrolment.
While the directive does not affect current Corps members or those already enrolled before the enforcement date, all prospective candidates must comply with it.
Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa earlier explained that the NERD Policy applies to all institutions regardless of ownership or oversight, including colleges of nursing, agriculture, and research institutes. The President also approved a monetisation framework to allow students and lecturers to earn revenue from deposited academic works.
The Federal Government has directed all higher institutions and relevant agencies, including the National Identity Management Commission, to ensure seamless enforcement and data validation through inter-agency collaboration.
NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima noted that each deposited work will carry the names of the student, supervisors, department heads, and institutions to strengthen supervision standards and improve academic quality nationwide.
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