Poly Graduates Protest Proposed NYSC Exclusion

• Full-time HND graduates with part-time ND backgrounds protested against exclusion from the NYSC scheme, calling the proposed policy discriminatory and unjust
• The protesters gathered at the NYSC secretariat, demanding inclusion in the mobilization process and expressing disappointment over lack of responses from authorities

Full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates with part-time National Diploma (ND) backgrounds have protested against a proposed policy excluding them from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The demonstration coincided with the second stream Batch C mobilisation on Monday.

Early Monday morning, the protesters gathered at the NYSC secretariat in Lagos, holding placards with messages like “Say No to Discrimination in NYSC” and “Equal Rights for All.” Their demand was clear: inclusion in the NYSC mobilisation process.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Majaro Temitope, an HND graduate from Yaba College of Technology, expressed disappointment over the proposed policy, calling it discriminatory.

He explained that many had completed ND part-time before switching to full-time HND programs.

“Many of us struggled to complete our ND programs, only to now face exclusion from serving our nation. We hope this peaceful protest gets the attention it deserves, as we are willing to engage in dialogue,” he said.

Temitope added that the group had written to relevant authorities, including the NYSC Director-General and the Minister of Education, but had not received any response.

“We plead with the federal government and the Ministry of Education to reconsider this policy. It is unfair to judge our service eligibility based on our ND programs,” he said.

Adebola Osunfunrewa, representing the Education Rights Campaign, criticized the proposed policy, describing it as evidence of the country’s failing education system.

“This shows the backward state of our education sector. Over 3,000 graduates are begging to serve their country, yet we face a shortage of teachers nationwide,” he said.

Responding to the protest, the Lagos Coordinator for NYSC, Christiana Salwang, represented by Assistant Director Ehimuenma Itohan, assured the protesters that their concerns had been forwarded to the NYSC Director-General.

“The Director-General is aware of your grievances. The matter is under review, and we urge you to remain calm as we await the outcome. He is committed to addressing all issues within the guidelines and policies of the scheme,” she said.