By Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has commended the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for deploying technology and digital innovations to curb fraudulent activities and improve the efficiency of its operations.
Alausa gave the commendation when the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
The Minister applauded the leadership of the Scheme for the transformation recorded in recent years, particularly the adoption of technology in the registration, mobilisation and deployment of Corps Members.
“I would like to commend you for all the transformation that you have brought to NYSC and the use of technology to ensure seamless operations and deployment of Corps Members,” the Minister said.
Alausa recalled that the decision by the NYSC to embrace technology in its registration process initially faced resistance from some sections of the public.
He, however, noted that the digitisation of the process had significantly improved operational efficiency and was now receiving commendation from well-meaning Nigerians.
The Minister said the adoption of digital technology had strengthened the Scheme’s capacity to provide seamless services while reducing opportunities for manipulation and other fraudulent practices.
Speaking during the visit, the NYSC Director-General disclosed that the Scheme had further strengthened the security features of Corps Members’ Call-up and Posting Letters following attempts by unscrupulous individuals to clone the documents.
Brigadier General Nafiu said fraudsters had devised means of producing fake Call-up and Posting Letters, which were presented to prospective employers while unsuspecting Corps Members were allegedly extorted.
He explained that the NYSC had responded by introducing enhanced security features to make the documents more resistant to cloning, forgery and manipulation.
According to him, the improved system would also enable employers and other relevant stakeholders to easily verify the authenticity of Call-up and Posting Letters issued by the Scheme.
The Director-General further disclosed that a joint committee comprising relevant officials of the NYSC and the Federal Ministry of Education had been constituted to deepen collaboration between the two institutions.
He said the committee would work towards strengthening the verification process and ensuring that only qualified and eligible Nigerian graduates participate in the National Youth Service Corps programme.
The development is expected to further tighten the integrity of the NYSC mobilisation process, curb fraudulent practices and strengthen public confidence in the Scheme’s operations as it continues to embrace technology-driven innovations.
