Foreign-Trained Graduates May Face New Assessment Tests Before NYSC, FG Announces

The Federal Government is considering the introduction of compulsory assessment tests for Nigerians who obtained university degrees from foreign institutions before approving their mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, disclosed this on Monday, November 9, during the 37th meeting of the National Standing Committee on Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications held in Abuja.

She explained that the proposed assessment would help determine whether foreign-trained graduates possess the necessary knowledge and have met the required academic standards before their qualifications are evaluated for NYSC mobilisation.

According to Olatunji-David, the proposal has become necessary due to the increasing number of Nigerians pursuing higher education abroad, particularly in West African countries, as well as growing concerns over the circulation of forged academic certificates.

She stressed that the government would continue to support international education and academic exchange but would not allow the recognition of foreign qualifications that fail to meet acceptable educational standards.

The acting permanent secretary maintained that certificates presented for official recognition must reflect genuine academic achievements and equip graduates with the knowledge required to contribute meaningfully to national development.

She therefore urged members of the committee to consider introducing an assessment test as part of the evaluation process for foreign-trained graduates seeking NYSC mobilisation.

Olatunji-David also described the committee as an important institution in safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s education system by ensuring that only authentic qualifications obtained from accredited foreign institutions are recognised.

She further disclosed that the Ministry of Education had automated and digitalised the evaluation of foreign certificates and authentication of Nigerian academic qualifications since the beginning of 2026.

According to her, the digital system has made the process more efficient, while fees collected through the exercise are being remitted into government accounts as part of efforts to improve revenue generation.

The committee is also expected to deliberate on guidelines for issuing no-objection letters required for registering proposed educational institutions with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Other issues scheduled for consideration include measures to ensure that foreign-curriculum secondary schools operating in Nigeria prepare their students for at least one recognised public examination conducted by WAEC, NECO, NABTEB or NBAIS before graduation.

The committee will also examine the recognition of foreign secondary school qualifications, monitor Nigerians studying in African institutions and explore diplomatic channels for verifying the accreditation status of foreign universities.

Earlier, the Ministry’s Director of Education Support Services, Gabriel Amudipe, urged committee members to maintain fairness and objectivity when evaluating foreign qualifications.

He noted that their decisions were important to improving learning outcomes, strengthening institutional performance and maintaining quality assurance across Nigeria’s education sector.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the proposed assessment tests, if approved, could introduce an additional requirement for Nigerians with foreign university degrees seeking mobilisation into the NYSC scheme. However, the government has yet to announce a final implementation date or detailed guidelines for the proposed measure.