Are you a foreign graduate wanting to join Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme? If yes, then you are in the right place.
The NYSC online registration for foreign graduates is vital for them to participate in the national service scheme and enjoy its benefits.
However, it also requires them to meet some requirements and provide documents different from those of local graduates.
This article will guide foreign graduates on registering and mobilising for NYSC service online and collecting their certificate of exemption or exclusion letter if they are not eligible or willing to serve.
By following the instructions and tips in this article, foreign graduates will have a smooth and successful registration and mobilisation process.
Table of contents
Requirements for Registration/Mobilisation of Foreign Graduates
Foreign graduates wishing to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme must meet some general and specific requirements before registering and mobilising for the service year.
These requirements ensure that only qualified and eligible graduates are enrolled in the scheme and have the necessary documents to verify their identity and academic qualifications.
General Requirements
The general requirements for foreign graduates to register and mobilise for NYSC are as follows:
- They must have a functional email address to access regularly and a Nigerian phone number to communicate during the service year.
- They must have a recent passport photograph (not more than six months old) with a white background, which they will upload on the NYSC portal during registration. The picture must be clear and show the entire face of the graduate.
- They must not be more than 30 years old at the time of graduation. If they are above 30 years, they will be exempted from the service and issued a certificate of exemption.
- They must have completed their first degree or higher national diploma (HND) from accredited institutions outside Nigeria.
- They must have graduated not earlier than 2018.
Specific Documents
The specific documents that foreign graduates need to upload on the NYSC portal during registration are as follows :
- Original O’level certificate or equivalent, such as WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, GCE, etc. The certificate must show at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Original degree certificate or equivalent, such as BSc, BA, BEng, BTech, BEd, etc. The certificate must show the name of the graduate, the course of study, the grade/class of the degree, and the graduation date.
- Original transcript of academic records showing the courses taken and grades obtained by the graduate. The transcript must be duly signed and stamped by the appropriate authority of the institution.
- International passport data page, showing the personal details and photographs of the graduate. The passport must be valid and not expired.
- Residence permit or visa page of the host country where the graduate studied. The passport or visa must be valid and not expired.
- Evaluation letter from the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) showing the accreditation status and equivalency of the foreign qualification obtained by the graduate. The letter must be original and not photocopied or scanned.
- Medical report from a government or military hospital showing the graduate’s health status and fitness level. The information must be original and not photocopied or scanned.
Procedure for Uploading Documents
The procedure for uploading documents on the NYSC portal during registration is as follows :
- Visit the NYSC portal
- Click on “Fresh Registration” if you have not registered before or “Revalidation” if you have written before but did not complete your registration or did not go to camp.
- Fill in your details, such as name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, marital status, email address, phone number, etc.
- Select “Foreign” as your type of institution and fill in your institution details, such as country, name, course, degree, date of graduation, etc.
- Upload your passport photograph according to the specifications given on the portal.
- Upload your documents according to the categories given on the portal. Ensure your documents are clear and legible and match your details. You can use a scanner or a good camera to capture your documents.
- Preview your information and documents and ensure they are correct and complete. You can edit or delete any information or record that is incorrect or incomplete.
- Submit your registration and print out your registration slip. You will also receive an email confirmation with your call-up number.
Requirements/Procedure for Collecting Certificate of Exemption and Exclusion Letter
Some foreign graduates may not be eligible or willing to participate in the NYSC scheme.
In such cases, they can apply for a certificate of exemption or a letter of exclusion, depending on their category and qualification.
These documents will prove they have been exempted or excluded from the NYSC service.
Certificate of Exemption
A certificate of exemption is issued to a foreign graduate who meets any of the following criteria:
- They are over the age of 30 years at the time of graduation.
- They have served in the armed forces of Nigeria or the Nigeria Police Force for more than nine months.
- They are a staff of any of the following: the Nigerian Security Organization, the State Security Service, the National Intelligence Agency, or the Defence Intelligence Service.
- They have been conferred with any national honour.
To collect the certificate of exemption, a foreign graduate needs to provide the following documents:
- Original O’level certificate or its equivalent
- Original degree certificate or its equivalent
- Original transcript of academic records
- International passport data page
- Residence permit or visa page of the host country
- Evaluation letter from the Federal Ministry of Education (FME)
- Medical report from a government or military hospital
Collecting Certificate of Exemption
The procedure for collecting the certificate of exemption is as follows:
- Visit the NYSC portal.
- Click on “Fresh Registration” if you have not registered before or “Revalidation” if you have written before but did not complete your registration or did not go to camp.
- Fill in your details and select “Exemption” as your type of service.
- Upload your documents according to the categories given on the portal.
- Submit your registration and print out your registration slip. You will also receive an email confirmation with your call-up number.
- Visit the NYSC headquarters in Abuja with your original documents and registration slip to collect your exemption certificate.
Letter of Exclusion
A letter of exclusion is issued to a foreign graduate who obtained their degree or HND from a part-time, sandwich, distance learning, or other irregular program.
Such graduates are not eligible for NYSC service, but they must register online and obtain a letter of exclusion to validate their status.
To collect the letter of exclusion, a foreign graduate must provide the same documents as those for the certificate of exemption, except for the medical report.
The procedure for collecting the letter of exclusion is similar to that for the certificate of exemption, except that instead of visiting the NYSC headquarters in Abuja, the foreign graduate needs to see their institution of graduation to collect the letter of exclusion.
Conclusion
To summarise, this guide has your back whether you’re gearing up for NYSC service or exploring exemption or exclusion.
Navigating the paperwork and procedures may seem daunting. Still, with the proper documents and some online know-how, you’ll be well on your way to joining the National Youth Service Corps ranks or securing your certificate of exemption.
It’s not just about fulfilling a requirement but embracing an opportunity for growth, contribution, and a unique Nigerian experience.
I hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please comment below. Ie would love to hear from you.
Let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification. I would love to assist you.
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