By Nkechi Eze
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward data manipulation, identity theft, and other fraudulent activities in the mobilization of graduates for national service, warning that perpetrators and collaborators would face strict sanctions.
This was the key message delivered by the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the 2025 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Mobilization Workshop held in Abuja. The event brought together representatives from Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs), regulatory bodies, and partner agencies to strengthen data integrity and operational transparency in the mobilization process.
According to a statement signed by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the DG emphasized that the Scheme has, over the years, earned public confidence for its transparent and credible mobilization process, a reputation it remains determined to sustain. He assured that NYSC would continue to safeguard the integrity of all human, technological, and material resources deployed for the exercise.
Speaking on the theme, “Enhancing Data Integrity for Credible Mobilization for National Service in Contemporary Times,” Brigadier General Nafiu described the topic as timely, given the growing menace of unauthorized higher institutions and fraudulent academic affiliations. He identified data manipulation, identity theft, inconsistent institutional records, weak inter-agency data linkages, cybersecurity challenges, and low data management capacity as major threats to a credible mobilization system.
He warned against the operations of unapproved study centres and institutions engaged in unethical collaborations, stressing that the NYSC would continue to impose strict sanctions wherever such irregularities are discovered. “We must be conscious of the fact that the strength of our mobilization system depends not only on technology, but also on the ethics, discipline, and professionalism of those who handle it,” the DG stated.
“Let us continue to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for compromise. Every Nigerian graduate who wears the NYSC uniform must be genuinely qualified and properly verified,” he added.
In her remarks, the Director, Corps Mobilisation Department, Mrs. Rachel Idaewor, described the workshop as a critical platform for collaboration between the NYSC, Corps Producing Institutions, and other stakeholders. She urged participants to approach their duties with diligence and integrity, ensuring that all uploaded information accurately reflects the true profile of prospective corps members. “Let us work together as a cohesive team, drawing inspiration from our past successes and embracing the challenges that lie ahead,” she said.
The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who was one of the key participants, warned against data falsification and other manipulative practices. He revealed that at least 17 individuals, including some JAMB officials, were currently being prosecuted by law enforcement agencies for offenses related to admission, graduation, and mobilization for national service. He advised Student Affairs Officers to always source authentic data directly from JAMB rather than from unreliable or unauthorized channels.
Also speaking, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD), Engineer Olatunji Ariyomo, pledged that the agency would intensify engagement with all relevant stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of its mandate as directed by the Federal Government.
The workshop reaffirmed NYSC’s commitment to data accuracy, transparency, and inter-agency collaboration as critical enablers for credible mobilization — a process that continues to symbolize national unity, youth development, and institutional integrity.
