By Our Correspondent
National News – Thousands of Higher National Diploma graduates from polytechnics across Nigeria are facing prolonged delays in mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps, leaving many unable to secure employment or advance their careers.
The situation has trapped numerous graduates at home for months and, in some cases, years after completing their programmes.
Many affected graduates say administrative challenges within institutions, documentation problems, and limited mobilisation quotas are responsible for the growing backlog.
Reports indicate that Nigeria produces about 600,000 graduates yearly, while the NYSC mobilises only between 240,000 and 350,000 corps members annually, creating a widening gap.
Some graduates expressed frustration over the impact on their personal and professional lives.
A graduate from Kaduna State Polytechnic revealed that he completed his programme two years ago but has yet to be mobilised despite repeatedly submitting required documents.
According to him, constant requests to resubmit documentation have only prolonged the delay.
Another graduate said the situation has caused emotional stress and financial pressure for many young Nigerians who expected to begin their careers after graduation.
Some graduates claim they have lost job opportunities because many employers require proof of NYSC completion before offering employment.
Officials from some institutions attribute the delays to limited NYSC mobilisation slots and verification issues involving students’ academic records.
In certain cases, invalid or unrecognised registration numbers and incomplete documentation have prevented graduates from appearing on the mobilisation portal.
Education regulators also point to compliance issues by some institutions.
The National Board for Technical Education noted that failure to complete mandatory industrial training or incomplete programme accreditation can affect a graduate’s eligibility for mobilisation.
Analysts warn that the problem may worsen if the NYSC mobilisation capacity is not expanded to match the increasing number of graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Experts also say the recent increase in corps members’ monthly allowance may have affected the number of graduates mobilised per batch.
With thousands still awaiting mobilisation, affected graduates are calling on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to streamline the verification process and expand NYSC capacity to address the growing backlog.
