The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has distanced itself from a proposed N200 annual levy by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), saying payment of the levy is not a requirement for students seeking mobilisation for national service.
The NYSC made this known in a statement shared on its official X account on Tuesday, following reports that NANS was considering linking payment of its dues to the NYSC mobilisation process.
The Scheme said it had neither discussed nor agreed to the proposed arrangement with NANS, stressing that it had not entered into any Memorandum of Understanding with the student body for the collection of any levy.
“The NYSC wishes to state unequivocally that it has not, at any time, discussed, agreed to, or entered into any Memorandum of Understanding with the National Association of Nigerian Students regarding the collection of any levy from students in connection with mobilisation for national service.”
The NYSC explained that mobilisation is conducted through established official channels involving the management of the Scheme and the Heads of Corps Producing Institutions, who provide information on their graduates.
“The mobilisation process is neither linked to nor contingent upon the activities of any student association or organisation,” it added.
The Scheme therefore advised prospective corps members and students to disregard claims that payment of a levy to NANS or any other student association was required for NYSC mobilisation.
The clarification followed comments by NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde, that the association was considering a system under which students would pay an annual N200 due.
Babatunde had also said NANS would work with the NYSC and indicated that students might be required to present proof of payment of the association’s dues before being mobilised for camp.
The NYSC, however, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a transparent, credible and efficient mobilisation process in line with existing government policies and guidelines.
