The management of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, has issued an official notice to all graduates and prospective corps members, mandating them to obtain clearance from the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) before participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilization exercise. This directive follows a new policy introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria to take effect from the NYSC Batch ‘C’ 2025.
According to the circular released from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor (Students Affairs Division) and dated October 7, 2025, the Federal Government’s latest education policy requires every graduate to complete NERD clearance as a compulsory prerequisite for NYSC mobilization. This development, the university explained, is part of the government’s ongoing effort to ensure academic transparency, digital record-keeping, and the integrity of educational documentation nationwide.
The notice stated that henceforth, only graduates who have successfully obtained NERD clearance will be processed for NYSC mobilization. The measure, according to the circular, seeks to verify the authenticity of academic records submitted by Nigerian graduates and to eliminate fraudulent mobilization cases that have previously plagued the NYSC system.
To comply with the new requirement, the university directed all graduates and prospective corps members (PCMs) to ensure that both soft and hard copies of their project works are ready. This will form part of the verification process required by the NERD portal before clearance is issued. The institution emphasized that these documents serve as proof of academic completion and originality, which are essential components of the clearance procedure.
Furthermore, all graduates are instructed to upload the soft copy of their final-year project works to the NERD portal. This upload will enable NERD to issue the official clearance certificate that qualifies each graduate for mobilization. The certificate, the circular noted, must be presented as part of the NYSC mobilization documentation, as no graduate will be processed without it.
In addition to uploading their works online, graduates are also expected to keep hard copies of their project works properly endorsed by their respective Heads of Department (HODs). The endorsement serves as an institutional validation of the student’s research work, which may be demanded during verification at the NYSC orientation camps. The university emphasized that this dual process of digital upload and physical endorsement will ensure accountability and compliance.
The Students Affairs Division further advised all prospective corps members to begin the clearance process immediately to avoid mobilization delays. It cautioned that failure to complete the NERD clearance within the stipulated time could lead to exclusion from the NYSC Batch ‘C’ 2025 exercise. Graduates were therefore encouraged to act promptly in line with the Federal Government’s new directive.
While the management awaits further clarification and operational guidelines from the NYSC headquarters, it assured students that updates will be provided as soon as more details are made available. The university reiterated its commitment to supporting all graduates through the transition process and ensuring that no eligible student is left behind due to administrative delays.
This policy is part of a broader initiative by the Federal Government to digitize education data management across Nigerian tertiary institutions. The introduction of NERD clearance aligns with the national vision for academic accountability and the centralization of educational records, thereby enhancing transparency and efficiency within the NYSC mobilization framework.
The circular, signed by A. A. Musa on behalf of the Registrar, concluded by appealing to all Modibbo Adama University graduates to comply promptly with the directive. The management expressed optimism that the NERD clearance policy would improve the mobilization process, safeguard academic integrity, and strengthen Nigeria’s education system in the long run.
