Thesis Submission Now Mandatory for NYSC – FG

President Bola Tinubu has made thesis and project submission through the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) mandatory from October 6, 2025, for all graduates seeking NYSC mobilisation or exemption, to curb certificate racketeering, ensure quality, and boost iixki accountability.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a new policy requiring graduates to submit academic outputs, including theses and project reports, as a condition for mobilisation into or exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The directive is part of the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) and is aimed at strengthening academic accountability nationwide.

Compliance with NERD Now Compulsory

A circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, confirmed that all prospective Corps members must show proof of NERD compliance, regardless of their institution—local, private, military, civilian, or international.

The new requirement, effective October 6, 2025, applies to all graduates seeking NYSC mobilisation or exemption. Those currently serving or enrolled before the enforcement date will not be affected.

According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the measure will combat certificate racketeering, ensure quality assurance in academic submissions, and provide verifiable records of scholarly work. Section 6.1.23 of the NERD policy also mandates time-stamping of submissions as proof of continuous enrollment and affiliation.

Raising Standards and Accountability

The NERD system introduces an academic output monetisation and reward framework, enabling both students and lecturers to earn revenue from submissions. Institutions are also required to maintain local repositories linked to the national database, fostering collaboration among previously disconnected institutions.

NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima explained that the programme’s main objective is to raise the standard of academic content and supervision in higher institutions.

“If our eminent scholars are aware that their names will appear next to those of the students they supervise on a globally available digital platform, each lecturer will be more committed to thorough supervision. Very few would want their names tied to substandard work,” she stated.

To ensure full transparency, every submission must include the names of the student, supervisor, co-supervisor (if applicable), head of department, and sponsoring institution. Critical data agencies like the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will also support the process by validating submissions through inter-agency data exchange.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, GISTREEL