The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has withdrawn and invalidated the certificates of national service awarded to 101 graduates from the University of Calabar (UNICAL) oats a result of irregularities in their mobilization and exemption.
In a statement by the management of the corps on Monday, the graduates include 99 who were illegally mobilised for national service during the 2021, 2022 and 2023 service years and 2 who were illegally granted exemption from the service.
The statement read in parts, “Management of National Youth Service Corps hereby restates its strong commitment to ensuring that unqualified locally and foreign-trained Nigerian youths, especially those purported to have graduated from unaccredited universities, are not recognised, while only qualified persons are issued with NYSC Certificates of National Service.”
Generally, graduates are required to present their NYSC certificates in order to be eligible for a job at par with their educational status.
The NYSC Director, Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
According to Eddy Megwa, the organization took this action to maintain the integrity of the national service program and prevent unqualified individuals from participating. The NYSC also warned that it will continue to act against any individual or institution involved in fraudulent mobilization. However, he was unresponsive to a phone call or text message seeking further clarifications by the media on the issue.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the affected institution, Effiong Bassey, said denied knowledge of the matter when contacted. He, however, asked to get back to the media with a response on Tuesday.
The management of NYSC has, however, urged members of the public to take note of the listed names.
Also adding that the public, especially corps employers, government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), corporate and religious organizations, multi-national companies, and corps-producing institutions, should verify the authenticity of certificates presented to them.
“In addition, members of the public are also enjoined to confirm from NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja the authenticity of Certificates of National Service, Exemption and Exclusion Letters being presented for any purpose.” He said.
