Polytechnic HND Graduates Stranded Over NYSC Mobilisation Delays

Thousands Of Polytechnic HND Graduates Stranded Over NYSC Mobilisation Delays
Graduates blame administrative bottlenecks and limited mobilisation slots.
Experts warn delays may worsen youth unemployment in Nigeria.

Thousands of Higher National Diploma graduates from polytechnics across Nigeria are stranded months and, in some cases, years after graduation as they await mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that findings showed that many of the affected graduates blamed administrative bottlenecks within their institutions and the limited mobilisation quota allocated by the NYSC. The prolonged delay has left many unable to secure employment or advance their careers.

Some graduates initially linked the problem to admission documentation processed through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. However, the board clarified that it does not handle admissions into HND programmes, shifting attention to institutional clearance processes and the NYSC mobilisation framework.

Several graduates described the situation as frustrating, saying the delay had disrupted their career plans and exposed them to economic and social pressure.

A graduate of Kaduna State Polytechnic, who identified himself simply as Usman, said he graduated two years ago but had yet to be mobilised despite submitting the required documents.

“They keep asking us to submit documents again and again, and nothing changes. I submitted my regularisation printout, but they said they could not find it. I submitted it again, and still nothing. People keep asking me about my NYSC status, and it is frustrating,” he said.

Another graduate, Zainab Asmau, said many students had waited for more than three years without mobilisation.

“This is not just a delay on paper; it has destroyed real lives. Qualified graduates have lost job opportunities simply because they cannot present an NYSC certificate,” she said.

Officials of Kaduna Polytechnic, however, attributed the delay partly to limited mobilisation slots allocated to institutions.

“Kaduna Polytechnic has thousands of students, but every institution is given a specific number of slots for mobilisation by NYSC. So, it is impossible for all graduates to be mobilised at once,” an official said.

Graduates from other institutions, including Kano State Polytechnic, Kwara State Polytechnic, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Sokoto Polytechnic and Edo State Polytechnic, also reported similar delays.

Authorities attributed the situation to documentation discrepancies, partial accreditation of some programmes and failure by some institutions to upload graduate records on required portals.

Education data indicate that universities and polytechnics produce about 600,000 graduates annually, while the NYSC mobilises between 240,000 and 350,000 corps members each year, creating a growing backlog.