NYSC Reveals How Undercover Reporter Breached System to Enroll Twice

The National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC) has disclosed the modus operandi of an undercover reporter who managed to enroll twice in the compulsory one-year program. Speaking on a Channels Television program, the Director of Public Affairs, Mr Eddy Megwa, revealed that the reporter altered his email address and phone number to successfully rejoin the program in 2023 after completing it in 2019.

Megwa explained, “When the undercover reporter first submitted his data, the system rejected him as he had previously served in the scheme. However, he later changed his email and phone number, enabling the system to accept him, and he was initially posted to Osun State.”

Despite incorporating the National Identification Number (NIN) into the scheme three years ago, Megwa couldn’t explain why discrepancies in the reporter’s biodata between NIN and the second mobilization data did not trigger an alert within the system.

Regarding the assessment of foreign certificates, Megwa stated, “It is not our duty to assess their certificates, but we have resorted to inviting foreign students and giving them tests to gauge their abilities. In doing so, we have made startling discoveries.”

NYSC, considered an elite scheme, emphasizes English language communication. Megwa recalled an incident in 2006 where a supposed corps member’s response to the title of his final project raised suspicions, leading to the revelation that his name was fraudulently included in the list of graduates from a particular university.

Megwa added that the NYSC is collaborating with various ministries and agencies to track individuals studying abroad and verify their credentials upon return.

Meanwhile, Okechukwu Favour, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in the Republic of Benin, appealed to the government to reconsider the blanket ban on certificates and degrees from institutions in Benin Republic. He expressed concern for the fate of over 15,000 Nigerian students studying in the country, emphasizing that the ban would affect legitimate students at different study levels.

In response to the situation, the Federal Government has instituted a ban on graduates from certain foreign universities. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, confirmed the formation of a committee tasked with evaluating the accreditation process for foreign universities and assessing the validity of their certificates.