NYSC Makes One-Year Industrial Training Mandatory for HND Graduates Before Camp Registration

By Ezekiel Ademola

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has directed that all Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates from polytechnics and monotechnics must present evidence of completing the mandatory one-year Industrial Training (IT) after their National Diploma (ND) before they can be registered at any NYSC orientation camp.

The directive was contained in a memo dated July 15, 2026, signed by Isa Walida Siddique, Director of Corps Mobilisation, on behalf of the Director-General of the NYSC. The memo was addressed to Rectors, Provosts, and Registrars of Polytechnics and Monotechnics across the country.

According to the memo, the decision followed concerns that some students proceed directly into Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes without completing the compulsory one-year Industrial Training required after obtaining the National Diploma (ND).

NYSC Official Memo.

The NYSC stated that the new requirement is aimed at preserving the integrity of Nigeria's educational system and ensuring that only qualified HND graduates are mobilised for the National Youth Service.

The memo read in part: "Prospective corps members who are HND graduates must provide documentary evidence that they completed the mandatory one-year Industrial Training before they will be allowed to register at any NYSC orientation camp."

The scheme also directed heads of tertiary institutions to publicise the new directive among students to prevent situations where otherwise qualified graduates are denied registration during orientation exercises due to non-compliance.

The development means that HND graduates who fail to provide evidence of completing the mandatory Industrial Training before their HND programme may not be eligible for NYSC mobilisation until they meet the requirement.

This directive is expected to affect prospective corps members from polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide, making compliance with the Industrial Training requirement a compulsory condition for NYSC registration.

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