NYSC Mobilization for HND Graduates: The recent meeting between the NBTE, JAMB, NYSC, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the National Association of Polytechnic Students tackled the longstanding issue of NYSC eligibility for HND graduates. The consensus reached will impact current and future polytechnic students across Nigeria. Key points include:
- Exemption Certificates for Ineligible Graduates: HND graduates who completed part-time programs in their ND and cannot register for NYSC will receive exemption certificates. This step recognizes their education but acknowledges the legal restrictions of NYSC mobilization.
- Mandatory NBTE Portal for HND Admissions: From 2024, all polytechnics must use the NBTE HND admission portal to process admissions. This ensures that eligible full-time HND graduates, even those who took ND part-time, are mobilized for NYSC.
- Institutional Transparency: Polytechnics are now responsible for clearly informing students about the NYSC mobilization limitations of part-time programs, giving students the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
- Task Force for Compliance: A new task force will monitor polytechnic programs to ensure compliance with admission capacity limits and duration standards.
These reforms are expected to streamline the process and resolve longstanding challenges for HND graduates in Nigeria.