NYSC Plans to Digitise Certificate Records, Considers Biometrics

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced plans to digitise its certificate records as part of efforts to improve efficiency, accountability, security and transparency in its certification process.

The Director-General of the Scheme, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this at the 2026 NYSC Certification Officers’ Workshop held in Abuja.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.

The proposed changes are expected to improve the management of certificate records, make information easier to retrieve and strengthen safeguards against fraud and unauthorised alterations.

NYSC Considers Biometric Identification for Certificates

According to the statement, the NYSC is exploring the use of biometric identification in issuing Certificates of National Service.

However, the proposed biometric system remains subject to technical assessments, relevant approvals and the implementation of necessary safeguards.

The initiative forms part of the Scheme’s broader efforts to modernise its certification procedures and respond to growing demands for faster and more reliable services.

Paper-Based Records to Be Migrated to a Digital System

Brigadier General Nafiu directed certification officers to prepare for the migration of paper-based certificate production and issuance registers to an Electronic Documents and Records Management System.

The proposed digital archive is expected to provide several benefits, including:

• Faster retrieval and tracking of certificate records.
• Improved accountability in certificate production and issuance.
• Better protection of records against loss and physical damage.
• Stronger safeguards against unauthorised changes to official documents.
• More efficient management of certification processes.

The Director-General also urged certification officers to acquire the digital skills needed to support the planned transition.

NYSC Warns Against Certificate Forgery and Racketeering

While announcing the proposed reforms, the NYSC Director-General warned officers against practices that could undermine the integrity of the Scheme’s certification process.

These include certificate forgery and racketeering, discrepancies in official records, and unnecessary delays in certificate issuance.

He stressed the importance of maintaining accurate records and following established procedures to protect the credibility of NYSC certificates.

The Scheme, according to the statement, will continue reviewing its processes and strengthening safeguards to ensure that its certification services remain credible, transparent and accessible.

NYSC Certification Officers’ Workshop Focuses on Improved Service Delivery

The workshop was held under the theme, “Repositioning NYSC Certification: Overcoming Challenges and Driving Seamless Service Delivery.”

Represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs Grace Ogbuogebe, Nafiu encouraged officers to embrace the digital transformation and contribute to improving the Scheme’s operations.

In his welcome address, the Director of the Corps Certification Department, Alhaji Abdullahi Jikamshi, noted that emerging operational challenges and technological developments made continuous adaptation and process re-engineering necessary.

He warned that errors and avoidable delays could weaken public confidence in the NYSC certification system.

What the Proposed Digitisation Means for Corps Members

The planned digitisation could make certificate records easier to manage and retrieve while improving the security of the certification process.

However, the NYSC has not stated in the information provided that biometric identification has already been implemented or that existing certificate procedures have changed immediately.

Current and prospective corps members should continue to follow official NYSC instructions regarding certificate collection, verification and other related procedures until further announcements are made.

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