The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has distanced itself from a proposed N200 mobilisation levy being considered by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) for prospective corps members.
The controversy followed a statement by NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, who said the association was considering an annual N200 due for students.
Babatunde said NANS would work with the NYSC and suggested that students could be required to provide proof of payment before being mobilised for the national service programme.
However, the NYSC has rejected any connection with the proposed levy.
In a statement on Tuesday, the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, said the scheme had neither discussed nor agreed to any arrangement with NANS regarding the collection of a levy from students as a condition for mobilisation.
“The NYSC wishes to state unequivocally that it has not, at any time, discussed, agreed to, or entered into any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) regarding the collection of any levy from students in connection with mobilisation for national service,” the statement said.
NYSC Explains Mobilisation Process
The NYSC said its mobilisation process is conducted through official channels and does not depend on payments to student associations.
According to Embu, the scheme works with the Heads of Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs), who provide the required information on eligible graduates for mobilisation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, NYSC mobilisation process is straightforward and is conducted through established official channels,” she said.
She added that the mobilisation process is neither linked to nor dependent on the activities of NANS or any other student organisation.
The NYSC therefore advised prospective corps members to disregard any information suggesting that payment of a levy to NANS or another association is required for mobilisation.
The scheme reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a transparent, credible and efficient mobilisation process in line with approved government policies and guidelines.
