The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has commenced the physical verification of credentials and travel documents for foreign-trained Nigerian graduates who have registered for participation in the 2025 Batch ‘C’ Service Year.
The verification exercise, which started on Monday, November 10, will run until Wednesday, November 12, 2025, across designated centres nationwide, according to a statement released by the NYSC on its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The NYSC explained that the screening is aimed at confirming the authenticity of academic certificates, travel documents, and other credentials uploaded by foreign-trained graduates during online registration.
“The exercise is for prospective corps members whose documents have not been physically verified after completing their online registration,” the statement said.
The Corps management also stressed that the verification process is mandatory for all foreign-trained applicants, noting that only those who successfully complete the process will be cleared for mobilisation into the national service programme.
To make the process convenient and accessible, the NYSC listed multiple verification centres across the country, including both military barracks and NYSC secretariats.
The centres include:
NYSC Secretariat, 2 Abakaliki Road, GRA, Enugu
Shadawanka Military Barracks, Bauchi
NYSC Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja
Bukavu Military Barracks, Fagge, Airport Road, Kano
NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos
NYSC Secretariat, New Ikirun Road, Osogbo
NYSC Secretariat, 40 Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt
Eagle Officers Mess, Gingiya Military Barracks, Gusau Road, Sokoto
NYSC Secretariat, Federal Secretariat Complex, Yola, Adamawa State
The statement also directed all participants to report only to the centre and on the specific date and time indicated on their verification slips, which were issued upon successful online registration.
“As part of the measures to ensure orderliness and avoid overcrowding, prospective corps members are expected to strictly report on the date, time, and venue specified on the verification slip,” the NYSC said.
It further warned that failure to comply with the verification schedule could lead to delays or disqualification from the mobilisation process.
According to the NYSC, all participants are expected to present original copies of their academic and travel documents for inspection.
These include:
Degree or HND certificates from foreign universities or colleges.
Transcript of academic records.
International passport used during studies abroad.
Residence permit or visa used for study in the foreign country.
Evidence of full-time study, such as admission letters or student identification cards.
The NYSC emphasised that the documents presented must match those uploaded online during registration. Any discrepancy, the scheme warned, would attract further scrutiny or disqualification.
Background: Why NYSC Conducts Verification for Foreign Graduates
The physical verification exercise for foreign-trained graduates has become a regular feature of the NYSC mobilisation process.
It was introduced to curb the growing trend of fake certificates and fraudulent claims of foreign education by some individuals seeking to join the national service.
In recent years, the NYSC has uncovered cases of people presenting forged foreign certificates, prompting the Corps to tighten its verification procedures.
Under the current system, foreign-trained graduates are first required to upload their documents online for preliminary screening. Those whose documents pass the online stage are then invited for physical verification at designated centres before being cleared for mobilisation.
This approach, according to NYSC officials, helps to maintain the integrity of the service and ensures that only qualified Nigerian graduates participate in the one-year mandatory national programme.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was established in 1973 as part of the Nigerian government’s post-civil war effort to promote national unity and integration.
It requires all Nigerian graduates under the age of 30—both locally and foreign-trained—to serve the nation for one year in different states outside their region of origin.
During the service year, corps members are deployed to schools, hospitals, government agencies, and private institutions across Nigeria, where they contribute to community development and gain work experience.
The programme also includes a three-week orientation camp, where corps members undergo drills, lectures, and skill acquisition training before being posted to their primary assignments.
Over the decades, the NYSC has been regarded as a key institution in fostering unity among young Nigerians, though it has also faced challenges, including safety concerns, delayed allowances, and administrative bottlenecks.
Meanwhile, the NYSC management has urged all prospective corps members to cooperate fully with officials during the verification exercise and avoid any attempt to cut corners.
The scheme warned against patronising individuals or groups who claim to have influence over the verification or posting process.
“The NYSC does not recognise any agent or intermediary for document verification. All eligible graduates are advised to follow official procedures and present themselves personally,” the statement emphasised.
The management also called on applicants to be wary of social media rumours or fake websites impersonating the NYSC platform, reminding them to rely only on information from official communication channels.
The ongoing verification exercise marks one of the final stages in the mobilisation process for 2025 Batch ‘C’ corps members, after which successful candidates will be issued their official call-up letters to proceed to orientation camps across Nigeria.
