The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been applauded for its proactive and digitalised efforts in the mobilisation process, aimed at curbing certificate racketeering among foreign-trained graduates, particularly within West Africa.
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, gave the commendations on Friday during a courtesy visit by the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Oluseye Nafiu, to his office in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Dr. Alausa also lauded the Scheme for resolving the long-standing issue affecting OND part-time graduates who possess full-time HND qualifications, and who were previously exempted from national service.
The Minister reveals that efforts are ongoing at the Federal Ministry of Education to digitise the verification of foreign-trained graduates of Nigerian origin, a move that aligns with NYSC’s digital reforms and enhances the credibility of academic certification.
He stresses the need for strengthened collaboration between the Ministry and NYSC, particularly in improving education to drive national development.
To address rural education challenges, he advocates the deployment of more graduate teachers to underserved communities.
In a forward-looking policy suggestion, Dr. Alausa proposed extending the duration of national service from one to two years. He also recommends expanding the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to further empower Corps Members to become self-reliant and create jobs.
“You have done so well as an organisation. Let NYSC give people more opportunities to become job creators who will meet the needs of the country,” he says.
Speaking earlier, Brigadier General Nafiu commended the Ministry for its innovation and progress in the education sector.
He called for the establishment of a national database of Nigerian students studying abroad, which he says would help stakeholders track academic records and prevent the proliferation of fake graduates.
“NYSC is ready to comply with policy guidelines as directed by the Federal Government. We are also trying to reform the Scheme to conform to present national needs,” he added.
Also present at the meeting was the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Enitan, who reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to partner more effectively with NYSC in its efforts to uplift the quality of education across Nigeria.
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