Nigeria: Whether national service is compulsory, including establishments where it is carried out, when it is done, the duration and if there are some exemptions or exceptions to that service
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA29273.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: Whether national service is compulsory, including establishments where it is carried out, when it is done, the duration and if there are some exemptions or exceptions to that service, 1 April 1998, NGA29273.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aba944.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided by an official of the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington D.C. during a 24 April 1998 telephone interview.
Military national service does not exist in Nigeria. However, there is a compulsory program called the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which is open to new graduates from universities. According to NYSC, all Nigerian students under 35 year of age (men and women) who finish their university studies must serve the country for one year. The assignment is made either the public or private sector in accordance with the candidate's field of expertise. Only sick persons would be exempted from service upon presentation of a medical certificate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Embassy of Nigeria, Washington D.C. 24 April 1998. Telephone interview with an official.
