The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced that prospective corps members will no longer be mobilised for national service without obtaining clearance through the National Electronic Registration Database (NERD), introducing a stricter verification process ahead of future orientation exercises.
The directive was contained in a public notice issued on Monday through the scheme’s official communication channels, where prospective corps members were advised to complete the verification process early to avoid delays in mobilisation.
According to the NYSC, NERD clearance has become a compulsory requirement for all graduates seeking participation in the national service programme.
“This is to inform Prospective Corps Members that without NERD clearance, no NYSC. Get your NERD clearance early. Avoid delays in your mobilisation,” the scheme stated.
The management further reinforced the directive, stressing that mobilisation would not be approved for any prospective corps member who fails to obtain the required clearance.
The latest advisory comes as preparations continue for the mobilisation of eligible graduates for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ service year.
Although the NYSC did not provide extensive details regarding the verification procedure, the development is widely seen as part of efforts to strengthen the integrity of the mobilisation process and eliminate irregularities associated with graduate records and registration.
The directive follows recent announcements by the scheme urging tertiary institutions and graduating students to ensure all documentation and records are properly updated before mobilisation begins.
It also comes shortly after the NYSC issued a safety advisory warning prospective corps members against travelling at night while heading to orientation camps across the country.
The scheme advised participants to break long-distance journeys where necessary and utilise safe locations, including military formations and other approved security facilities, rather than risk travelling after dark.
Observers say the twin measures reflect the organisation’s commitment to improving both administrative efficiency and the welfare of prospective corps members amid prevailing security concerns in parts of the country.
As mobilisation activities gather momentum, eligible graduates are expected to complete all registration requirements, including the newly emphasised NERD verification process, to qualify for participation in the national service programme.
