NSA Boss: 50 Unaccredited Universities Identified in National Service Participation
Abuja, Nigeria — The Director General of the National Service Agency (NSA), Brigadier General Ahmed Yusuf, has revealed that 50 unaccredited universities have been identified as having previously engaged in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. This revelation raises significant concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s higher education system and the quality of graduates entering the national service scheme.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, General Yusuf emphasized that the discovery was made during a comprehensive verification exercise conducted by the NSA in collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the NYSC Directorate. He stated that the institutions were found to have presented themselves as legitimate universities, producing graduates who had participated in the NYSC despite lacking proper accreditation.
“We are deeply troubled by this trend,” Yusuf said. “Allowing graduates from unaccredited institutions to partake in national service undermines the entire purpose of the NYSC, which is designed to unify the country through the engagement of credible, qualified graduates.”
According to Yusuf, most of the identified institutions were located in remote parts of the country, while others operated as satellite campuses of foreign or defunct universities without authorization. Some even issued fraudulent degrees under the guise of being affiliated with recognized institutions.
The NSA boss stressed that immediate steps are being taken to prevent further abuse. These include the publication of the list of unaccredited institutions, enforcement of stricter screening during NYSC mobilization, and legal action against individuals or bodies found culpable in the fraudulent operations.
The National Universities Commission has also pledged to intensify its accreditation and monitoring efforts to ensure only properly recognized institutions operate in Nigeria.
Yusuf urged parents, students, and employers to verify the status of any higher education institution through the NUC before enrolling or accepting graduates. He also called on the public to support efforts to protect the credibility of Nigeria’s education and national service systems.
This latest development highlights the urgent need for systemic reform and accountability in Nigeria’s education sector, as authorities work to uphold the standards and purpose of the NYSC program.
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