The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied entering into any agreement with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to make payment of students’ association dues a condition for mobilisation into the national service scheme.

The NYSC, in a statement issued on Tuesday, described reports suggesting that students may be required to pay a levy to NANS before they can be mobilised as false and unauthorised.

The clarification followed recent statements by NANS indicating that its proposed annual ₦200 dues could become a requirement for students seeking mobilisation into the NYSC.

The development has generated concerns among prospective corps members, particularly over whether payment to a student body could become a prerequisite for participation in the government-backed national service programme.

However, the NYSC said its mobilisation process is conducted exclusively through established official channels and has no connection with the activities or financial requirements of student associations.

“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 scheme said.

How NYSC mobilisation works

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The scheme explained that mobilisation is carried out through collaboration between NYSC management and heads of corps-producing institutions.

Universities, polytechnics and other eligible institutions are responsible for providing the NYSC with relevant information on their graduates who qualify for mobilisation.

According to the scheme, student associations have no formal role in determining whether a graduate is mobilised for national service.

“The mobilisation process is neither linked to nor contingent upon the activities of any student association or organisation,” the NYSC added.

The agency stressed that it operates under the authority of the Federal Government and implements only policies and procedures approved by the appropriate government authorities.

It therefore urged students and prospective corps members to disregard any information suggesting that payment of NANS dues or any other levy is required before they can be mobilised.

“Consequently, members of the public, particularly Prospective Corps Members and students, are advised to disregard any information suggesting that payment of a levy to NANS or any other association is a requirement for NYSC mobilisation,” the scheme stated.

What NANS had proposed

The NYSC clarification came days after NANS National President, Babatunde, indicated in social media posts that the association could collaborate with the NYSC and that payment of its proposed annual dues might be tied to mobilisation.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Babatunde said students could be required to present evidence of payment of NANS dues before being mobilised to the NYSC orientation camp.

In a video posted on Monday, he explained that the proposed annual payment was ₦200 per student.

He argued that the initiative was not designed to impose an unreasonable financial burden on students but would provide NANS with funds to operate independently and represent students’ interests.

The proposal, however, appeared to create the impression that NANS dues could become linked to access to the NYSC mobilisation process.

The NYSC has now expressly rejected that position, maintaining that no agreement exists between the two organisations to that effect.

NYSC reiterates government control

The dispute also highlights the distinction between student representation and the administration of the national service scheme.

While NANS is a student organisation representing Nigerian students, the NYSC is a government-established scheme responsible for administering the national youth service programme.

The NYSC’s latest statement makes clear that eligibility and mobilisation are determined through its approved procedures and institutional channels rather than through membership or financial contributions to a student association.

The agency’s warning is likely to provide relief to prospective corps members who may have been concerned that failure to pay the proposed dues could prevent them from participating in national service.

Welfare of corps members

The controversy comes as the NYSC leadership is also intensifying efforts to improve the welfare and working conditions of corps members posted to organisations across the country.

NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, recently warned employers that organisations failing to provide accommodation and transportation for corps members posted to them could be blacklisted from receiving corps members.

Nafiu issued the warning during a working visit to Kogi State, where he interacted with corps members in Lokoja.

The NYSC chief also assured corps members that the Federal Government remained committed to their security and welfare throughout their service year.

With the latest clarification, the NYSC has placed the responsibility for mobilisation firmly within its official administrative framework and advised students to rely on information issued through recognised government channels when seeking guidance on their eligibility and deployment for national service.