NYSC invalidates, withdraws 101 UNICAL graduates’ certificates over irregularities

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has invalidated the certificates of national service issued to 101 graduates from the University of Calabar (UNICAL) due to irregularities in their mobilization and exemption processes.

NYSC, in a statement on Monday, said 99 of the affected graduates were illegally mobilized for national service during the 2021, 2022, and 2023 service years, adding that the remaining two were granted exemption certificates illegally.

The statement read in parts, “Management of National Youth Service Corps hereby restates its strong commitment to ensuring that unqualified locally and foreign-trained Nigerian youths, especially those purported to have graduated from unaccredited universities, are not recognised, while only qualified persons are issued with NYSC Certificates of National Service,”

NYSC spokesperson Eddy Megwa has not responded to a phone call and text message seeking further clarifications.

Meanwhile, the UNICAL spokesperson, Effiong Bassey, said he was not aware of the matter when contacted. He asked to get back to our reporter with a response tomorrow (Tuesday).

NYSC, however, urged members of the public, especially employers and government agencies, to take note of the listed names.

“In addition, members of the public are also enjoined to confirm from NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja the authenticity of Certificates of National Service, Exemption and Exclusion Letters being presented for any purpose.