NYSC Issues Strong Warning Against Fraud Ahead of 2025 Batch ‘C’ Mobilisation

As preparations ramp up for the 2025 Batch ‘C’ mobilisation, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on fraud in the mobilisation of Nigerian graduates for national service. The warning was issued by Director-General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu during a stakeholders’ workshop held in Abuja, emphasizing the importance of integrity in maintaining public confidence in the NYSC process.

General Nafiu highlighted that over the years, the NYSC has built a reputation for transparent and credible mobilisation, and the organisation remains committed to safeguarding this integrity by ensuring that human, technological, and material resources deployed for mobilisation are properly managed.

“The theme of this workshop, ‘Enhancing Data Integrity for Credible Mobilisation for National Service in Contemporary Times,’ is timely, especially given the rise of unauthorized higher institutions. We must protect the credibility of our mobilisation process and prevent acts of data manipulation, identity theft, inconsistent data from Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs), weak inter-agency linkages, cybersecurity breaches, and low data management capacity,” he said.

General Nafiu also expressed concern over unapproved study centres that operate under dubious affiliations with accredited institutions, stressing that NYSC will not hesitate to sanction any unethical practices.

“The strength of our mobilisation system depends not only on technology but also on the ethics, discipline, and professionalism of those handling it. Every graduate who wears the NYSC uniform must be genuinely qualified and properly verified,” he added.

In her remarks, Mrs. Rachel Idaewor, Director of the Corps Mobilisation Department, described the workshop as a critical platform for collaboration among NYSC, CPIs, and other stakeholders. She urged participants to ensure that all data uploaded reflects accurate and verified profiles of prospective corps members.

“Student Affairs Officers must always obtain data from JAMB and avoid unreliable sources. Let us work together with diligence and integrity, aligning with national policies and international best practices to uphold transparency and accountability in every step of mobilisation,” she stated.

Also contributing, Mr. Olatunji Ariyomo, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD), reaffirmed his agency’s commitment to engaging stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of its mandate in line with federal government directives.

The NYSC’s firm stance underscores its determination to protect the credibility of national service, ensure that only genuinely qualified graduates participate, and reinforce ethics, transparency, and professionalism across all stages of mobilisation.