The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied reports of an agreement with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to collect a ₦200 mobilisation levy from students.
The NYSC said the proposed payment does not form part of its mobilisation process. It urged students and prospective corps members to ignore messages asking them to pay the levy.
The scheme issued the clarification following reports about a ₦200 payment linked to student mobilisation.
The NYSC advised students to verify information about mobilisation through its official channels. It also warned them against paying individuals or groups that claim the ₦200 levy is compulsory.
According to the scheme, students do not need to pay the levy to qualify for NYSC mobilisation.
“The NYSC wishes to state unequivocally that it has not, at any time, discussed, agreed to, or entered into any Memorandum of Understanding with the National Association of Nigerian Students regarding the collection of any levy from students in connection with mobilisation for national service,”
The warning comes as graduates prepare for the national service programme. Many students rely on information from schools, student groups and online platforms during the mobilisation process.
The NYSC urged students to confirm any payment request before sending money.
The reported levy had sparked discussions among Nigerian students. The controversy centred on whether students needed to pay ₦200 before they could take part in NYSC mobilisation.
The NYSC has now rejected any link between the payment and its mobilisation exercise.
Students should therefore ignore messages that claim the payment is an NYSC requirement. They should also avoid sending money to unofficial accounts for mobilisation purposes.
The NYSC encouraged prospective corps members to use verified information when completing their mobilisation process.
