The National Youth Service Corps has taken decisive action by demobilizing 54 graduates from the University of Calabar who were found to have been illegally mobilized for the service.
According to The PUNCH, this measure, aimed at preventing unqualified individuals from receiving Certificates of National Service, was revealed in a statement released late Friday by the Scheme’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed, announced this development during a press briefing in Abuja, stressing that the individuals involved would face legal prosecution.
Among the 54 graduates, 19 were identified as having completed online registration for mobilization but were subsequently barred from participating in the service.
Additionally, the Scheme withheld the production of Certificates of National Service for four other individuals involved in the fraudulent activity.
This action follows an earlier decision by the NYSC, announced on Monday, to invalidate the certificates of 101 graduates from the University of Calabar who were similarly found to have been fraudulently mobilized between 2021 and 2023.
The university’s Pro-Chancellor, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (retd.), lauded the NYSC for unearthing the irregularities and promised to hold accountable any university staff implicated in the scheme.
Ahmed provided a stark example of the fraudulent mobilizations, revealing that a bread seller was once included on the graduation list from the university.
He expressed gratitude to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, for bringing the issue of illegal mobilizations to the attention of the NYSC.
“The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar came here to report that she observed some names appeared on the institution’s list and they ought not to have been there. She checked the list the school gave us and I told her that their certificates would be invalidated. I give kudos to the Vice-Chancellor,” Ahmed stated.
He further highlighted the challenges posed by unethical practices within some institutions, where unscrupulous individuals generate fake matriculation numbers and courses for their candidates.
In response, the NYSC has committed to strengthening its partnerships with the heads of Corps Producing Institutions and other stakeholders nationwide to combat this growing issue.
Ahmed also emphasized that any discrepancies in the mobilization process reflect poorly on the integrity of the institution involved.
He called for a higher standard of integrity among those responsible for inputting graduates’ data.
In conclusion, he urged employers across the country to diligently verify the authenticity of NYSC Certificates of National Service presented by job applicants, ensuring that only genuine graduates are considered for employment.
