The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has commended the National Youth Service Corps for using technology and digital innovations to combat fraud and improve the efficiency of its operations.
Alausa gave the commendation when the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, led a delegation of the scheme on a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja.
The minister particularly praised the NYSC leadership for the transformation recorded by the scheme, especially the adoption of technology in the registration 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,” Alausa said.
He recalled that the decision by the NYSC to introduce technology into its registration process initially faced resistance from some sections of the public but said the digitisation had significantly improved the process.
Nafiu, in his remarks, said the NYSC had strengthened the security features of corps members’ call-up and posting letters following attempts by fraudsters to clone the documents and issue fake letters to prospective employers.
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He said the enhanced security measures had made the letters more difficult to manipulate and enabled employers to verify their authenticity.
The NYSC director-general also disclosed that a joint committee comprising officials of the scheme and the Federal Ministry of Education had been established to strengthen collaboration between both institutions.
According to Nafiu, the committee would also work to ensure that only qualified and eligible Nigerian graduates participate in the National Youth Service Corps.
The move is part of wider efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen the digital management and verification of education and graduate records and reduce opportunities for certificate and document fraud.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
