NUC Announces NYSC Mobilisation Plan for NOUN Graduates

NUC says it is working to include NOUN graduates in the NYSC scheme following demographic changes. See full details from the 15th Convocation and what this means for students.

Will NOUN Graduates Now Participate in NYSC?

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced that it is working with relevant government agencies to finalise arrangements for the participation of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) graduates in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. The announcement was made by the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, at the NOUN 15th Convocation Ceremony in Abuja on Saturday, 18th April 2026.

For years, NOUN graduates have been excluded from the NYSC programme. The primary reason was that the majority of NOUN students were mature learners — professionals, civil servants, and older adults — who were well above the NYSC age threshold of 30 years at the time of graduation. However, Prof. Ribadu noted that the student demographic at NOUN has changed significantly in recent times, with many students now graduating at age 30 and below, which qualifies them for the national service experience.

This development is one of the most significant policy-level announcements for NOUN students in recent years. If implemented, it would place NOUN graduates on equal footing with their counterparts from conventional universities in terms of eligibility for NYSC mobilisation, a requirement for many employment and professional opportunities in Nigeria.

Why Were NOUN Graduates Previously Excluded From NYSC?

The NYSC scheme, established in 1973, requires all Nigerian graduates under the age of 30 at the time of graduation to undertake a mandatory one-year national service. Historically, the bulk of NOUN’s student population consisted of working professionals, civil servants, traders, and older adults who enrolled in open and distance learning programmes to further their education while maintaining their careers and family responsibilities. Most of these students were already in their 30s, 40s, and 50s by the time they graduated, placing them above the NYSC age limit.

Because of this demographic profile, the question of NYSC participation for NOUN graduates was largely a non-issue for much of the university’s history. The assumption — both within policy circles and among the public — was that NOUN was primarily a university for mature learners who had no need for the youth service programme.

However, as Prof. Ribadu highlighted at the 15th Convocation, this assumption no longer reflects reality. NOUN’s student body has become younger and more diverse, with a growing number of school leavers and younger Nigerians choosing open and distance learning as their preferred route to a degree. This demographic shift has made the NYSC question both relevant and urgent.

What the NUC Executive Secretary Said

Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, who also represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Visitor to the University, addressed the NYSC issue directly in his speech at the convocation. He acknowledged the changing demographics of NOUN’s student population and confirmed that the NUC would engage with the NYSC to explore what policy changes can be made to accommodate NOUN graduates.

He stated that the commission would do its best to ensure the necessary corrections are made as quickly as possible. While he did not give a specific timeline for implementation, his remarks signal a clear intent at the highest levels of education regulation to bring NOUN graduates into the NYSC fold.

Beyond the NYSC announcement, Prof. Ribadu praised NOUN’s contributions to Nigeria’s higher education landscape. He described the university as occupying a unique and strategic place in the country’s tertiary education ecosystem and noted that NOUN has demonstrated that the frontier of higher education can be expanded significantly without compromising quality.

What This Means for Current and Prospective NOUN Students

If the NUC and NYSC reach an agreement on mobilisation for NOUN graduates, the impact would be far-reaching. NYSC discharge or exemption certificates are a requirement for many public and private sector jobs in Nigeria, and the absence of this certificate has been a practical barrier for some NOUN graduates in the job market.

For current students who are under 30 and expect to graduate soon, this development could open doors that were previously closed. It would mean that a degree from the National Open University of Nigeria carries the same post-graduation pathway as a degree from any conventional Nigerian university, including access to the one-year service programme and the discharge certificate that follows.

For prospective students considering NOUN, this announcement removes one of the lingering concerns that younger applicants often raise about choosing open and distance learning over a conventional university. If NYSC mobilisation becomes a reality for NOUN graduates, the case for enrolling at NOUN becomes even stronger — students get the flexibility of ODL and the same post-graduation benefits as their peers elsewhere.

It is worth noting, however, that the arrangement is not yet finalised. The NUC has indicated that engagement with NYSC is ongoing, and students should monitor official announcements from both the NUC and NOUN for updates on implementation timelines and eligibility criteria.

Other Highlights From the NOUN 15th Convocation

The NYSC announcement was one of several important developments at the NOUN 15th Convocation Ceremony. A total of 24,575 students graduated across four programme levels, making it one of the largest convocation exercises in the university’s history.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, confirmed that all graduating students had been found worthy in character and learning, and congratulated them on their achievement. He urged them to be good ambassadors of the university wherever they find themselves.

The Chancellor of the University, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin Kingdom, used his speech to call for dedicated and sustained intervention funding for NOUN. He stressed that NOUN study centres require continuous development, modernisation, and digital enhancement to function at optimal capacity, and described investment in the university as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital rather than a recurrent cost.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Prof. Ribadu, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to transforming NOUN into a fully and internationally competitive online university under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He commended the university’s partnerships with security institutions and its pioneering initiative in providing educational opportunities for inmates in correctional facilities in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Final Thoughts

The NUC’s announcement that it is working towards NYSC mobilisation for NOUN graduates is a welcome development for the thousands of young Nigerians who choose open and distance learning for their higher education. It acknowledges the changing reality of NOUN’s student body and addresses a long-standing gap that has affected younger graduates of the university.

While the policy is not yet in effect, the public commitment from the NUC Executive Secretary at a high-profile event like the 15th Convocation signals strong intent. Current and prospective NOUN students should keep an eye on official communications from the NUC, NYSC, and NOUN for further updates on when and how this policy change will be implemented.

For the latest news and announcements from the National Open University of Nigeria, visit the official website at https://www.nou.edu.ng.

FAQs About NYSC Mobilisation for NOUN Graduates