Pecohub Thousands of Higher National Diploma graduates from polytechnics across the country are stranded months, and in some cases, years, after graduation as they await mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps.
Many of the graduates blamed administrative bottlenecks within their institutions and the limited mobilisation quota allocated by the scheme.
Findings by Pecohub showed that the prolonged delay has left many affected graduates unable to secure employment or advance their careers.
While some graduates initially linked the problem to admission documentation processed through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the board has clarified that it does not handle admissions into Higher National Diploma programmes, shifting attention to institutional clearance processes and the NYSC mobilisation framework.
Some of the affected graduates, who spoke to Pecohub, described the experience as frustrating, adding that their career plans had been disrupted as they lamented exposure to economic and social pressure.
Kaduna State Polytechnic has recently been in the news over the alleged constant delay in mobilising its graduates for the NYSC programme.
A graduate of the institution, who identified himself simply as Usman, said he graduated two years ago and had yet to be mobilised for youth service despite submitting the required documentation.
He accused the management of the polytechnic of complicity.
Usman said, “They keep asking us to submit documents again and again, and nothing changes. I submitted my regularisation printout, but they said they could not find it. I submitted it again, and still nothing. People keep asking me about my NYSC status, and it is frustrating.”
Another graduate, Zainab Asmau, said the situation had caused her emotional and financial strain.
She claimed that many graduates of the polytechnic had waited over three years without mobilisation.
“This is not just a delay on paper; it has destroyed real lives. Qualified graduates have lost job opportunities simply because they cannot present an NYSC certificate,” she said.
Another graduate of the polytechnic, Abubakar, said the delay had left many graduates watching their peers move ahead with their careers.
