By Olayinka Iroye
Dear Honourable Minister, on behalf of Nigerians and the academic community, I extend heartfelt congratulations on your appointment as the Honourable Minister of Education. This esteemed role recognizes your remarkable accomplishments as Minister of Health, your academic brilliance, and your broad experience in health and medical education. Your outstanding contributions as an Assistant Professor have earned you global recognition and admiration. Nigerians are confident that under your leadership, the education sector will witness transformative and much-needed reforms. We look forward to a legacy of excellence from you and the Honourable Minister of State, Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad, a distinguished scholar and staunch advocate for gender and girl-child education.
As you assume this critical office, I urge you to address an urgent issue affecting many young Nigerians: the restriction on mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) imposed on Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates from Nigerian Polytechnics who completed their National Diploma (ND) on a part-time basis but transitioned to full-time HND programme. Despite their dedication and academic compliance, these students now face exclusion from NYSC mobilization due to a recent policy shift—a situation that has caused widespread disappointment and frustration for them, their families, and the society at large.
This restriction has ignited a significant outcry across various platforms, with voices from scholars, media, student bodies such as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) all appealing for a review of this policy. The affected students, many of whom have waited nearly a year, find themselves ensnared by unanticipated policy changes. They deserve fair consideration, not penalization for following an educational path approved by the system itself.
The implications of this exclusion are severe and far-reaching. For the students, this policy casts a shadow over their hard work and aspirations. For their families, who have made substantial financial sacrifices, the delay compounds frustrations. On a broader level, the exclusion signals a troubling message to young Nigerians, creating doubts about the credibility of our educational system and diminishing confidence in the Polytechnic pathway.
Moreover, the resulting disruptions in Polytechnics across the nation are a cause for concern. Protests, demonstrations, and a growing sense of alienation among students threaten the academic and administrative stability within these institutions. If left unaddressed, this issue could undermine campus peace, exacerbate disenchantment among students, and disrupt the broader learning environment.
Honourable Minister sir, as you embark on the mission to strengthen Nigeria’s education sector, I respectfully request that you consider addressing this matter as one of your immediate priorities. We appeal to you to direct JAMB, NYSC, and other relevant agencies to mobilize these graduates in the upcoming NYSC batch. Such a decision would bring swift relief to affected students and their families, while demonstrating your commitment to equity, inclusivity, and the welfare of Nigeria’s youth.
Addressing this issue with compassion will underscore your dedication to fairness and inclusivity in Nigerian education. With your leadership, I believe a fair and positive outcome is within reach.
Once again, congratulations on your well-deserved appointment. May your tenure be marked by wisdom, justice, and a relentless drive to uplift Nigeria’s education.
Respectfully,
*Olayinka Iroye* is a Deputy Registrar at The Federal Polytechnic Offa.
