HND graduates protest exclusion from NYSC scheme

Full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates, who had previously completed part-time National Diploma (ND) programs, have strongly opposed the proposed exclusion of such graduates from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

This protest comes as registration for the second stream of Batch C mobilisation began on Monday, January 6.

The affected graduates gathered at the NYSC secretariat in Lagos early Monday, holding placards with slogans like “Say No To Discrimination in NYSC” and “Equal Rights for All,” demanding their inclusion in the NYSC mobilisation process.

Majaro Temitope, a graduate from Yaba College of Technology, spoke on behalf of the protesters, voicing concerns about the exclusion policy.

He described the policy as discriminatory, pointing out that many had made the effort to transition from part-time ND programs to full-time HND programs.

“Many of us here did ND part-time and later switched to full-time HND. We were not informed about any policy that would deny us the opportunity to serve, despite the challenges we faced during our ND years,” Temitope explained.

He also noted that they had written letters to relevant authorities seeking intervention but had not yet received a response. He called on the NYSC Director-General and the Minister of Education to review the issue.

“We’ve already written to the Director-General and JAMB about this matter. We just hope the Federal Government and Ministry of Education will reconsider this unfair policy, especially since the registration has already started and we are still unable to register,” he added.

Adebola Osunfunrewa, a representative from the Education Rights Campaign, criticized the policy, calling it indicative of the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s education system.

“This policy is another sign that Nigeria’s education system is collapsing. How can over 3,000 students be begging to serve in a country already facing severe teacher shortages?” he said.

In response to the protesters, the Lagos NYSC Coordinator, represented by Assistant Director Ehimuenma Itohan, assured them that their concerns had been forwarded to the Director-General at the NYSC national headquarters.

Itohan urged the graduates to remain calm and reassured them that the matter was being taken seriously.

“Your protest has been duly noted, and we have escalated your grievance to the highest level of management in NYSC. The Director-General is a father figure who deeply cares about the concerns of the youth, and I assure you that he will consider all aspects of the matter in line with the existing guidelines and policies,” Itohan stated.