FG proposes assessment test for foreign graduates before NYSC mobilisation

The Federal Government is considering the introduction of a mandatory assessment test for Nigerians holding degrees from foreign institutions before they are cleared for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, disclosed this policy in Abuja on Monday during the 37th meeting of the National Standing Committee on Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications.

Dr Olatunji-David explained that the proposed assessment is designed to verify that foreign certificates reflect genuine academic achievements. She added that the intervention has become necessary given the surge of Nigerians studying across West African nations and other foreign countries.

“We must ensure that the standard of education in Nigeria is not lowered by allowing all manner of foreign qualifications that are not recognised, to be paraded by Nigerians without the corresponding learning achievement,” she stated.

The Acting Permanent Secretary restates the commitment of the government to global educational integration but insisted that national standards must not be compromised.

“We want to ensure that, yes, for every certificate given, they are earned, and they can produce people that can contribute positively to our national development. I therefore invite this committee once again to consider, if necessary, an assessment test before such graduates are evaluated for NYSC.”

The committee is also deliberating on compliance by foreign-curriculum secondary schools operating within Nigeria. Dr Olatunji-David directed that students in such schools must sit for at least one indigenous public examination, such as WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or NBAIS, prior to graduation, regardless of where they intend to pursue higher education.

The ongoing meeting will review guidelines for issuing letters required to register proposed institutions with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Additionally, the committee will address the formal recognition of foreign secondary qualifications, including the United States High School Diploma and the French Baccalaureate.

The Acting Permanent Secretary stated that the ministry has fully automated the evaluation of foreign certificates and the authentication of local degrees to ensure a hitch-free process and boost government revenue. She added that mechanisms are being established to monitor Nigerians studying in African institutions through institutional visits.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of Education Support Services, Mr Gabriel Amudipe, urged the committee members to remain objective and firm in their screening process.

“The design and committee on evaluation remains one of the most critical structures for ensuring that our policies, programmes and interventions are achieved,” Amudipe said.

He tasked the body with clearing genuine qualifications while ensuring that cases falling short of national requirements are appropriately addressed.