By Aisha Muhammad Magaji
The Federal Government has introduced a new requirement mandating graduates to submit copies of their academic thesis or dissertation as part of the process for mobilization into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The policy, which takes effect with the next mobilization batch, was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the NYSC Directorate.
According to the Ministry, the measure is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s academic database, curbing plagiarism, and encouraging research that addresses national challenges.
“This initiative is designed to build a robust national research archive,” a statement from the Ministry noted. “By collecting and preserving the theses of all Nigerian graduates, we are creating a knowledge resource that can be referenced by scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders.”
NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, explained that the new requirement will not affect the normal mobilization process but will now be part of the verification checklist.
“Graduates are expected to submit either hard or electronic copies of their final year thesis, project, or dissertation, duly certified by their institutions,” Ahmed said. “This will ensure accountability in academic work and also promote originality in research.”
He added that the NYSC Secretariat will work closely with universities and polytechnics across the country to streamline the process.
Some university officials have welcomed the policy. Dr. Halima Bello, a senior lecturer at the University of Abuja, said the move could discourage recycling of academic projects.
“For years, students have been duplicating old projects without adding new knowledge,” Bello said. “With this directive, there will be a national record, making it easier to detect plagiarism and ensure that every work contributes meaningfully to our body of knowledge.”
However, some students have expressed concerns about possible delays in mobilization. “It’s a good idea, but the government must ensure it doesn’t slow down the mobilization process,” said Chinedu Okeke, a recent graduate. “Sometimes it takes time for schools to certify and release these documents.”
The Federal Ministry of Education assured that a digital submission platform is being developed to make the process seamless and to avoid disruption of the NYSC calendar.
Officials also noted that Nigeria would be joining countries such as Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, where thesis submission into a national repository is mandatory for university graduates.
“This is about building a future where research informs development,” the Ministry’s statement added.
