Will Part-Time Go For NYSC?

Last updated on April 10th, 2025 at 01:49 pm

The NYSC is an important one-year service for every graduate below the age of 30 years. This simply means every graduate is meant to go for NYSC after completing his/her years of study.

However, most individuals who underwent their studies through a part-time program are very keen on whether they are eligible for service (NYSC) or not, which makes them ask the question, “Can a part-time student go for NYSC?”.

And when a part-time student asks that question, they get several false answers. While some will say yes, others will say no, which will only make the student more confused. But what exactly is the right answer? Yes? Or no?

Well In this article, I will break down the answer to the question, giving you the right information, for it is the dream of every youth to serve his or her father’s land. I will start by explaining what part-time means, as this will help you understand what will later be discussed in this article.

What Is Part-Time?

Part-time is just like attending an institution, but you won’t be having classes every day; rather, once in a while. It is simply the opposite of full-time. Most people who do part-time programmes are adults that have other responsibilities like family, work, and more. And by attending classes once in a while, they will have time to take care of other things.

Will Part-Time Go For NYSC?

Yes, part-time graduates from accredited institutions are eligible to serve. Well, this was not so for polytechnic graduates before—not until the 14th of February, 2025, when the federal government (FG) approved NYSC mobilisation for part-time poly graduates after years of exclusion.

In the past, part-time graduates were not allowed to go for NYSC. This is simply because only full-time graduates from accredited institutions were allowed to go for NYSC, and the only thing part-time poly graduates were eligible to collect was an exclusion letter, which proves that such a student is not eligible to serve due to his/her studies through part-time.

Even the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) passed a law then on part-time students. JAMB made it clear that part-time graduates were not eligible for NYSC. According to JAMB, they said part-time studies are for those who missed their chance of studying through full-time and are currently busy with their careers.

They also added that part-time studies are mainly for those seeking formal education later in life, so they shouldn’t enjoy the benefits of studying through full-time. Even those who did regularisation were not allowed because, according to JAMB, they said regularisation is just to make sure they have your details on their database, and regularising admission doesn’t make one eligible for NYSC.

This happened for several years before part-time poly graduates began to protest against it. They kept on protesting until the FG heard their cry on the 14th of February, 2025. Presently, all part-time poly graduates are now eligible to serve their fatherland.

Do Part-Time Graduates Still Need Exclusion Letter?

No, as long as you aren’t more than 30 years old, coupled with the fact that part-time graduates are also eligible to serve, you don’t need the exclusion letter. You will only need it if you are more than 30 years old upon graduation, as this certificate will serve as proof that you aren’t eligible to serve because of your age.

This certificate will be very important when such students want to seek employment later on in the future. According to NYSC, this certificate of exemption can only be gotten from the institution where you graduated from.

So in conclusion, all part-time students from accredited institutions are eligible for NYSC. Do you have any further questions concerning this topic? Kindly drop them in the comment section, and we will gladly respond.