The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate is proof that a Nigerian graduate has either completed service, been exempted, or excluded. It’s a key document for anyone who wants to work in Nigeria, whether in government or the private sector.
Requirements for Collection of NYSC Certificate
- Certificates are sent to State Secretariats from the NYSC Directorate Headquarters three times a year.
- Only Corps members who are fully cleared — with letters from employers, CDS inspectors, and their NYSC ID cards — receive certificates.
- Anyone who took a WAP loan must finish repayment before collection.
- Corps members with pending disciplinary cases won’t get certificates until cleared.
Getting Your NYSC Certificate
You collect it at your State Secretariat after your discharge. NYSC doesn’t mail certificates or release them to third parties. You go in person, show your ID and clearance, and get it.
Getting It Online
There’s no direct download for the NYSC certificate itself. What you can do online is verify it, using the NYSC verification portal. That’s where you confirm authenticity.
Exemption Certificate and Exclusion Letter
Here’s the breakdown:
- Exclusion Letter: For part-time students, local or foreign. They’re not mobilized for service and don’t attend the orientation camp.
- Exemption Certificate: For full-time graduates who were already 30 or older at graduation. They qualify for exemption because of age or specific service history.
The exemption certificate looks official and is issued like the regular discharge certificate. The exclusion letter is more basic, issued online through the NYSC portal.
Eligibility for Exemption (As Set by Law)
Under the National Youth Service Corps Decree of 1993, Section 2(1), the following people are exempted from service:
- Anyone over 30 at the time of graduation.
- Anyone who has served in the Armed Forces or Police for at least nine months.
- Anyone who works with the Nigerian Security Organization, SSS, NIA, or Defence Intelligence Service.
- Anyone who has received a National Honour.
Discharge Certificate
This one is for graduates who:
- Finished before turning 30.
- Served one full year in the NYSC.
It’s the most recognized of the three and is what employers usually ask for.
Replacing a Lost NYSC Certificate
NYSC doesn’t reprint certificates. But you can get a Letter of Confirmation. To do that, you’ll need:
- Police report or extract.
- Court affidavit.
- Letter of introduction from the State Secretariat where you served.
- Copy of the lost certificate (if available).
Once verified, NYSC issues the confirmation letter instead of a reprint.
Correcting Errors in the Certificate
If NYSC made a mistake — name, date, spelling — return it to the State Certification Officer immediately. Corrections are handled only when the error originated from NYSC, not from your school or JAMB records.
Steps:
- Visit your State Secretariat with your certificate.
- Write a formal, handwritten application requesting correction.
- Attach proof of identity and supporting documents.
- Wait for notification to collect the corrected version at the NYSC National Headquarters (NDHQ).
NYSC won’t correct errors caused by false information from candidates or their institutions.
Article updated 13 hours ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
