HND graduates with part-time National Diploma (ND) backgrounds took to the streets on Monday, protesting at the Lagos National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) secretariat over a proposed policy excluding them from the NYSC programme.
With placards bearing messages like “Say No to Discrimination in NYSC” and “Equal Rights for All,” the graduates demanded an immediate reversal of the policy as Batch C Stream II registration began.
Majaro Temitope, an HND graduate from Yaba College of Technology, called the policy unjust, stating it unfairly penalises those who transitioned from part-time ND to full-time HND studies.
“Many of us endured tough conditions during our ND on part-time, only to be excluded now. This is a denial of our rights, and we hope this peaceful protest will open a dialogue,” Temitope said, urging the NYSC Director-General and the Minister of Education to intervene swiftly.
The protesters claimed they had written to relevant authorities, including NYSC and JAMB, but no response had been received.
Speaking on behalf of the Education Rights Campaign, Adebola Osunfunrewa criticised the policy, describing it as a blow to Nigeria’s education system.
“How can a country with a critical shortage of teachers turn away over 3,000 graduates ready to serve? This decision is both regressive and harmful,” Osunfunrewa argued.
Responding to the protesters, the Lagos NYSC Coordinator, Christiana Salwang, represented by Assistant Director Ehimuenma Itohan, assured them their concerns were being addressed.
“The director general is reviewing the matter and is committed to resolving your grievances within the policy framework,” Itohan stated, appealing to the demonstrators to remain calm while deliberations continue.
As the mobilisation process progresses, the protesters await a resolution that will determine their eligibility for the NYSC programme.
