My NYSC Online Registration Experience

Hola amigos!

In my last post I announced that NYSC now has an online registration step that you have to do before heading to Abuja. Like I promised, I'm now posting a write-up from a very lovely reader who has graciously decided to share her experience. Please note that this is a long post, but you would be wise to read it thoroughly if you plan on registering for NYSC soon.

So, I’ve been looking forward to NYSC for quite a while, had some sort of extraordinary ginger. I even started a group on facebook and added friends that I knew will be serving in November Batch C 2013. Registration started on the 12^th of August and something new was added…ONLINE REGISTRATION. One of my friends went to Abuja quite early and she informed the group members that the form had to be completed online BEFORE going to the NYSC office for physical verification.

Now, the form is split into 3 parts and you have to complete the first section before proceeding to the 2^nd section and so on. 

The FIRST PART is the actual registration form, which is probably the easiest section to complete, in my opinion. 

I showed up a day earlier than the date I specified on my registration from but there was no wahala, so don’t let that get you stressed. *Date of Verification refers to the date that you want to report to the NYSC Headquarters in Abuja to submit your documents and registration slip.*

The SECOND PART is the Passport picture upload. MAKE SURE the picture is LESS THAN 500kb and that it is in a JPG or PNG format (pdf isn’t accepted).

The THIRD PART is the documents upload and there are 6 documents which have to be uploaded. They shouldn’t be more than 650kb and like the previous section, only JPG and PNG formats are accepted. The documents needed to complete this section are

1.          First University Degree or HND Certificate
2.          Complete Transcript of Degree or HND Programme
3.          O’level Certificate (WASC, GCE, SSCE, NECO, IGCE, GCSE, High School Diploma)
4.          Nigerian International Passport showing Entry Visa to country of study (If you have dual Passports and you didn’t need a visa to study abroad, just upload the page on your second passport which has all your details/personal data)
5.          Nigerian International Passport showing first departure date from Nigeria (Upload the page which shows the date your passport was stamped in Nigeria before you began your University Education)
6.          Nigerian International Passport showing Personal Data (with Date of Birth)

* PLEASE NOTE* There is a sub-section which allows you to upload any other supporting documents or corrections. My middle name was omitted from my WAEC certificate so I had to get an affidavit and upload it in this section.

Once you have completed all three sections, you will be allowed to print off your verification slip. You must take this as well as your original documents to the NYSC Office. The website says to come along with photocopies of your documents but I wasn’t asked for photocopies or passport pictures (I’ll advise you to take them though, just to be on the safe side).

Now, I was quite scared on the day I was going to Abuja as it was my first ever domestic flight and my first time in Abuja. I actually cried in the car on the way to the airport and I am not an overly emotional person, just saying. Anyways, when you get to the NYSC office, they would ask if you have registered online and printed out your verification slip, so just do it before you get there.

You aren’t allowed to take your laptops, iPads or Tablets into the building so just leave it at home or you would have to leave it with the army officers at the gate. The office is on the 1^st floor and there is a woman giving out slips with numbers on them. (Respect yourself because the people in charge tend to shout and embarrass anyone who makes the slightest mistake). Go into the office when your number is called, your documents will be checked to make sure that all the information on the online form is accurate and then you are free to leave.

It is really not that deep!! The November 2013 Batch C are the guinea pigs for this online registration system which is actually quite effective. Some of the stories which you have heard from the previous batches will not be applicable to our batch, the queue wasn’t long when I went and the whole process is relatively easy if you follow the steps.

Hope you like the state you are posted to.

God Bless!

Wasn't this a WONDERFUL and most importantly, DETAILED write-up?!?! Shouts out to Tuke M! Yay, maybe you can be our spy and keep this blog current and refreshed when you start service :D

Register for NYSC ONLINE!

Ladies and gentlemen... boys and girls... it was brought to my attention (THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!) that NYSC now offers ONLINE REGISTRATION for Foreign Grads aka Aje-Butters like you and me. Well, mostly you, because I'm done with all this, innit? :p

Anyways, of course I quickly ran to NYSC's website to confirm and there it was... shining like the sun in bright yellow (mustard actually)...

Let's scream, shout, dance, whoop, holler and jump for joy, right? Because this means no going to Abuja, right? YOU ARE WRONG!!! Registering online is just an added step to the registration process. Please see the steps as posted on the website, below. 

Important Information These tips will help you get prepared as you complete your registration on this portal Review the current NYSC Registration Requirements For Foreign-trained Graduates to complete your registration as a foreign trained graduate. Click Here To View The Requirements Ensure that you have graduated from an accredited foreign tertiary institution, and collected all required certificates. This is because you will be required to upload these documents as you register. Ensure that you have recent passport sized photograph. You will be required to upload this passport photograph.

How To Complete Your Registration

Completing your registration on this portal is easy.
Follow the simple steps bellow and you will be okay.

• Read the important information on this page
• If you already have an account on this portal, login using the form above, and continue from where you stopped.
  If you are new and don't have an account, create one by clicking Sign Up above.
• When you have logged in there are three links on the left of the screen that enable you to complete the following actions.
  • Click "Registration" to fill the registration form
  • Click "Passport Photo Upload" to upload your passport sized photograph
  • Click "Document Upload" to upload all required documents.
• When you have completed the three steps above, a link will appear for you to print your registration slip.
• You will come with this slip with original and photocopies of your documents for physical verification at the NYSC directorate head quarters.

Important Information These tips will help you get prepared as you complete your registration on this portal Review the current NYSC Registration Requirements For Foreign-trained Graduates to complete your registration as a foreign trained graduate. Click Here To View The Requirements Ensure that you have graduated from an accredited foreign tertiary institution, and collected all required certificates. This is because you will be required to upload these documents as you register. Ensure that you have recent passport sized photograph. You will be required to upload this passport photograph. Contact Information For all contact needs, send an email to: foreignreg@nysc.gov.ng

PLEASE NOTE: another prospective corps member has graciously written her experience with registering online and completing the registration process in Abuja. I will share it in the next post. In the meantime, she's opened a Facebook Group for 2013 Batch C Prospective Corps Members. Feel free to look it up and share your experiences and questions there as well.

NYSC Batch C 2013 Timetable is OUT!!!

Hi guys!

I'm back from the beyond (aka my other blog, Berry Dakara) to announce that the Timetable for Batch C 2013 prospective corps members is officially out! This was my batch in 2012 - ahhhh, the memories :-|

Anyways, if you want the full table, it can be found here: NYSC Website Batch C Timetable.

For YOUR ease, just use the dates in the table below. These are most relevant to you.

Registration of Foreign-trained Nigerian Graduates	12th August - 11th October, 2013
Delivery of Call-up letters to Institutions / NYSC Secretariats	29th - 31st October, 2013
2013 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Course aka CAMP	5th November - 26th November, 2013

I remember registering as a foreign grad, and having to fly from PH twice because I didn't have the correct document (very annoying, but I kinda like Abuja, so I didn't mind too much). 

I've copied and pasted the requirements for registration below, so please start making sure you have all the necessary documents.

• The original and photocopies of the following documents are required for registration and mobilization of foreign-trained graduates into the National Youth Service Corps; viz:
  • First University Degree or HND Certificate
  • Complete official Transcript of the Degree or HND programme
  • Marks Sheets (for Indian Schools only)
  • O’level Certificate i.e WASC, GCE, SSCE, NECO, IGCE, GCSE, High School Diploma for those who schooled in USA e.t.c. Candidate must obtain credit in not less than 5 subjects (including English and Mathematics) in any of the examinations at not more than 2 sittings. (Statements of Result or Attestation Letters are not acceptable in lieu of any certificate).
  • Medical Doctors and Optometrists are required to produce in addition, Registration Certificate, Original and Photocopy of completion of Housemanship of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria/Optometrists Association of Nigeria, as applicable.
  • Pharmacists shall produce in addition, original and photocopy of completion of Internship and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria registration certificate.
• Nigerian International Passport showing clearly;
  • Entry Visa to Country of Study
  • First Departure Date from Nigeria
  • Date of Return to Nigeria
  • Candidates with dual nationality are required to produce both passports for verification.
• Three (3) Passport Size Photographs.
• Loss Of Travelling Passport
  prospective Corps Member who lost his/her passport would be required to present;
  • Police and Immigration reports from the country where the Passport got missing
  • Sworn Affidavit
  • The above documents should contain the same information as contained in the lost passport.
• For Loss Of Academic Credentials, the following is required;
  • Police Report
  • Sworn Affidavit
  • Confirmation letter from either the examination body (for loss of 'O' Level Certificate) or the academic institution of graduation (for loss of Degree, HND Certificate).
• Certificates not written in English Language should be translated at the Embassy of the country of the study or a University in Nigeria where the language is studied, before presentation to the NYSC.
• Special Note:
• Registration of foreign-trained graduates commences on 12th August and closes on 11th October, 2013
• Foreign-trained graduates enlisting into the Nigerian Youth Service are not obliged to choose their State of deployment. However, married women would be deployed to the state where their husbands are domiciled provided their marriage certificate and evidence of change of name are attached to their forms
• Registration is not done by proxy. All prospective Corps Members must therefore appear physically at the Evaluation Division of the Corps mobilization Department for registration.

Okay, I think that covers it. BEST OF LUCK!

NYSC 2013 Batch B Timetable is out!!!!!

Fun times!

Some foreign-grads should have started registering for the next batch (Batch B) of NYSC by now. Registration started on April 8th and goes all the way till June 7th. In my last post, NYSC hadn't posted the full schedule, but now it's ready, so I'm here to share :)

FYI I'm posting only the items that make any sense to prospective corps members.

The link to the full schedule is at NYSC 2013 Batch B Mobilization Timetable.

Registration of Foreign-trained Nigerian Graduates	8th April - 7th June, 2013
Delivery of Call-up letters to Institutions / NYSC Secretariats	18th - 21st June, 2013
2013 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Course aka CAMP	25th June - 16th July, 2013

Below are the required documents needed to register. And remember, you MUST register in person! Make multiple copies of everything cos you'll need them at different points.

NYSC Registration Requirements For Foreign-trained Graduates.

The following are required to complete your registration as a foreign- trained Nigerian graduate wishing to complete the national youth service corps:

1. The original and photocopies of the following documents are required for registration and mobilization of foreign-trained graduates into the National Youth Service Corps;                                                                                          
• First University Degree or HND Certificate
• Complete official Transcript of the Degree or HND programme
• Marks Sheets (for Indian Schools only)
• O’level Certificate i.e WASC, GCE, SSCE, NECO, IGCE, GCSE, High School Diploma for those who schooled in USA e.t.c. Candidate must obtain credit in not less than 5 subjects (including English and Mathematics) in any of the examinations at not more than 2 sittings. (Statements of Result or Attestation Letters are not acceptable in lieu of any certificate).
• Medical Doctors and Optometrists are required to produce in addition, Registration Certificate, Original and Photocopy of completion of Housemanship of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria/Optometrists Association of Nigeria, as applicable.
• Pharmacists shall produce in addition, original and photocopy of completion of Internship and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria registration certificate.
2. Nigerian International Passport showing clearly;
   • Entry Visa to Country of Study
   • First Departure Date from Nigeria
   • Date of Return to Nigeria
   • Candidates with dual nationality are required to produce both passports for verification.
3. Three (3) Passport Size Photographs. (I would  get like 30 passport photographs cos you'll keep giving them out for one thing or another.)

For instances where any of the above are missing, visit the NYSC website - Foreign Requirements page.
                            
Special Notes:

• Registration of foreign-trained graduates commences on 8th April and closes on 7th June 2013
• Foreign-trained graduates enlisting into the Nigerian Youth Service are not obliged to choose their State of deployment. However, married women would be deployed to the state where their husbands are domiciled provided their marriage certificate and evidence of change of name are attached to their forms
• Registration is not done by proxy. All prospective Corps Members must therefore appear physically at the Evaluation Division of the Corps mobilization Department for registration.

NYSC 2013 Batch A Time Table

Hi guys,

As promised, here's the schedule for the 2013 Batch A prospective corps members. Foreign grads have already started registering and Orientation Camp starts in March. Again, no need to worry about the other stuff in the schedule as they pertain only to NYSC officials. The link to the schedule is at NYSC 2013 Batch A Mobilization Timetable.

Pre-mobilization Workshop Meeting	16th January, 2013
Registration of Foreign-trained Nigerian Graduates	10th December, 2012 - 26th February, 2013
Submission of Masterlist. Screening/Vetting by Mobilization Officers	21st - 23rd January, 2013
Action by the ICT Department	21st - 29th January, 2013
Delivery of Corps Mobilization	30th January, 2013
Delivery of Preliminary Printouts to CPIs	30th - 31st January, 2013
Return of Corrected Printouts by Institutions to NYSC NDHQ	4th - 6th January, 2013
Action by ICT)	4th - 19th February, 2013
Sorting and Packaging of Call-up letters	20th - 25th February, 2013
Delivery of Call-up letters to Institutions / NYSC Secretariats	26th - 28th February, 2013
Briefing of Prospective Corps Members	Throughout the year
2013 Batch ‘A’ Orientation Course aka CAMP	5th - 26th March, 2013

NYSC 2012 Batch C Timetable

Hi guys,

Seems like people are going to my post on Batch B 2012 timetable, so let me make life easier so nobody gets confused. The link to the schedule is at NYSC 2012 Batch C Mobilization Timetable.

Pre-mobilization Workshop Meeting	4th- 6th September, 2012
Registration of Foreign-trained Nigerian Graduates	1st August- 5th October, 2012
Submission of Masterlist. Screening/Vetting by Mobilization Officers	12th - 21st September, 2012
Action by the Computer Centre	12th - 21st September, 2012
Delivery of Preliminary Printouts	25th - 27th September, 2012
Return of Corrected Printouts by Institutions to NYSC NDHQ	3rd - 5th October , 2012
Action by Computer (Coding, Corrections etc)	3rd - 23rd October, 2012
Sorting and Packaging of Call-up letters	24th - 28th October, 2012
Delivery of Call-up letters to Institutions / NYSC Secretariats	29th - 31st October, 2012
Briefing of Prospective Corps Members	29th - 31st October, 2012
2012 Batch ‘C’ Orientation Course aka CAMP	6th - 27th November, 2012

Word on the street is... Batch C 2012 registration has started

Hey y'all,

Soooooooo, I've been stalking and re-stalking the NYSC official website for the Batch C 2012 timetable. All to no avail! BUT someone who frequents THIS site said she heard they already started registration!!! Although she went to the Lagos Secretariat and was turned back, she knows someone who completed registration. If this is the case, and going by last year's schedule, foreign grads registration will be over mid-October.

For registration tips, go to my post on Registration for Aje-butters.

PLEASE if anyone has indeed registered, and can get the timetable directly from NYSC HQ, send the info to me! It is URGENTLY NEEDED!

**********UPDATE**********

It's out now! Click here for the link to NYSC 2012 Batch C Mobilization Table. Can I just say that it's kinda *rhymes with BILLY* to post the timetable over a month AFTER registration has started! Can someone please show my Letter to NYSC post to a bigwig at NYSC?

Thanks to my lovely reader who gave me the info in the first place - you totally RAWK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know you're gonna kick butt for Batch C!



Tenks a bunsh - Oh lawd, I'm losing my Aje-butter cred!

Berry!

Batch B 2012 NYSC Timetable

Hey you *insert BB flirty smiley*


I hope everyone's doing well, wherever in the world you are...

Just wanted to note that the timetable for the next set of corpers for 2012 (Batch B) has been out for a little while - kindly forgive me for not stalking the NYSC website to check.

The notable details on the timetable for Foreign-Trained Graduates are as follows:

April 2nd to June 4th - Registration in Abuja
26th to 27th of June - Delivery of Call-Up Letters to your state of residence's NYSC secretariat
July 2nd to 23rd - Orientation


For the full timetable, click here - NYSC Batch B Timetable

Also click here - for NYSC 2012 Service Year Facebook Page

For my previous post on the Registration process and a list of the required items and documents, click here - Registration Process of Aje-Butters


Something to remember, corpers are being sent to serve in the following sectors: Health, Education, Agriculture, and Infrastructure.

Erm, that's about it.

Ttyl + xoxo = C u berry soon!

NYSC Mobilization - Registration Process for Aje-Butters

Hello fellow butters! Happy New Year!!!

I took a short break from continuing with this blog because of a little parting gift a la NYSC Camp mosquitoes!!! Yup, you guessed right...MALARIA! It has to be the worst I've felt in forever! I had to miss work for 1 whole week, was in the hospital with an IV (aka drip), and had no appetite and even less energy.

*note to all Aje-Butters returning to Nigeria after a significant amount of time* You MUST take anti-malaria drugs!!!

Anyhow, let me get to the topic at hand: Registering for NYSC. I would like to say that this is an easy process - it actually is, IF you know what is required ahead of time and get everything in order. Otherwise, you may have to take more than 1 trip to the NYSC Directorate Office (in Abuja) to complete your registration.

For this blog's intents and purposes, I am only focusing on the requirements for Foreign-Trained Graduates.

Step 1: Stalking the NYSC website

You need to constantly check the NYSC website (here's the link again - NYSC Website) for the upcoming batch's timetable. It gives you information on:

• Registration dates
• Orientation dates
• Requirements for Foreign-Trained Graduates
• Collection of Call-Up Letters

Now that you know when the registration period is, it's time to get your documents together and head out to the NYSC Directorate Office located in Abuja.

Step 2: Gathering the required documents

In order to complete the registration for NYSC, foreign-trained graduates need ORIGINAL and (AT LEAST 6) photocopies of the following:

1. First degree certificate/diploma - BA, B.Sc, HND
2. Official First degree transcript
3. Marks sheets (for Indian schools - not really sure what that is)
4. High School diploma/certificate - this includes WASC, WAEC, GCE, SSCE, NECO, IGCE, O Levels. If you went to secondary school in Nigeria, your original WAEC/SSCE certificate was sent to your secondary school 5 years after graduation. If you never picked it up, go there and look for it.
5. Registration certificate with the Medical/Dental Council of Nigeria (for Doctors only)
6. Registration certificate with the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (for Pharmacists only)
7. Nigerian Passport (And foreign passport if you have one) showing the following:
1. First departure date from Nigeria
2. Student Visa
3. Last arrival date into Nigeria
8. Passport Photographs - Here is where I tell you to get at least 30 passport photographs, because you will need them over and over and OVER again at different points throughout the year. You might as well just have a whole bunch ahead of time and carry them in your purse or wallet.

Just in case the requirements change, click NYSC - Foreign Trained Graduates to confirm.

Step 3: Registering

You MUST register IN PERSON at the NYSC Directorate Office in Abuja. No, your parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, best friends, etc cannot submit the documents on your behalf. 

Hopefully, at this point, you have collected all the required documents AND photocopies together. Please check to ensure that your name is the same on all your documents. I had to go to a court across the street to get an affidavit swearing that I was the same person, simply because my SSCE certificate had just my first and last names (all other documents have my first, middle and last names on them).

When you get to the office, you have to keep your ears open and have a humble demeanor. Ask politely where you need to submit your documents, and wait in line if there's one (*Note* You will be doing A LOT of waiting for the next 12-15 months... Get used to it and bring a book or magazine with you). 

If you have all your documents and passport photographs with you, then you're basically sailing through the registration process. Once they put all your things in order, they will let you know when and where to pick up your Call Up letter. 

Step 4: Collecting your Call Up letter

The Call Up letter shows your NYSC number, the state where you are posted to, and some other stuff that I can't remember. You generally pick up your Call Up letter at the NYSC Office in your state of residence (or Abuja) - let the NYSC official know where you will be at the time.

The Call Up letter is ready about 1 week before Orientation Camp starts. This gives you time to prepare for your relocation to the new state where you shall reside for the next 12 months. 

REMEMBER!!!

1. Foreign graduates are NO LONGER allowed to serve in their state of preference. (This is one of the first signs you see when you get to the NYSC Directorate office, AND it is also stated on their website.) All I will say to this is... No comment :)
2. ALWAYS carry the following with you because you will most definitely need them.
1. Passport photographs
2. Pen

Other blogs discussing their NYSC experience:

1. Bombchell's Abuja Drama aka NYSC Registration
2. When I moved back to Nigeria - NYSC Registration

Next post will cover the dreaded ORIENTATION CAMP!!! Brace yourselves, it's not very pretty.

**update** You need your passport to pick up your call up letter **

What is NYSC?

NYSC, commonly called 'Youth Service,' stands for National Youth Service Corps.

The official NYSC website can be found here: http://www.nysc.gov.ng/

Let's start from the beginning... Between 1967 and 1970, there was a civil war in Nigeria, also known as the Biafran War. The south-easterners of Nigeria attempted to create a new nation, Biafra, due to economic, religious, and ethnic tensions. Nigeria won the war, and in 1973, created the National Youth Service Corps as a way to foster unity and appreciation of diversity among the youth of the nation. Click here for a more comprehensive look at the history of NYSC.

The basic premise was/is to send university graduates to different parts of the country (from their ethnic origins) for a period of one year. During the service year, graduates are expected to mix with people of other ethnic groups, gain one-year work experience, and engage in service to help develop their host communities.

NYSC Vision:
To develop a scheme that is dynamic enough to meet new challenges and become the leading light of youth organizations in Africa.

NYSC Mission:
To mobilize and groom graduate youths for the promotion of National Unity, Sustainable Development, Self-Reliance and prepare them for the challenges of leadership.

NYSC Service Year Components:
During the one-year service period, the program consists of 4 parts.

1. Mobilization/Orientation - This part of the program refers to the 1-2 month registration period; posting; as well as the three-week orientation in whatever NYSC Camp you have been posted to.
2. Primary Assignment - The primary assignment begins as soon as you leave the NYSC Camp. All corpers are expected to report at their place of primary assignment (PPA) as soon as they receive their posting letters. It lasts for a period of about 11 months.
3. Community Development Service - This part is done in conjunction with the primary assignment. Commonly abbreviated, the CDs, are generally by choice (unless you're a doctor or lawyer) and serves as your part in helping to develop your host community. It can range from mentoring programs, health advocacy, to sports, performing arts and much more. Each CD meets once a week, during the week, which means corpers have a 4-day work week and a day off to attend your CD group.
4. Passing Out - During the final week of the service year, corpers are brought together to evaluate their year of service. There's one last parade, during which corpers who have completed the requirements are given their certificates.

Click here to see an in-depth description of the service year.

Common Misconceptions about NYSC

1. You are exempt once you turn 30. This is a MYTH! The fact is that you are exempt from NYSC IF you receive your FIRST degree AFTER you turn 30. So those of you who want to bypass NYSC and hold out till you turn 30, might as well wait until then to graduate with your bachelor's degree.
2. Foreign-trained graduates can choose where they serve. This one is HALF TRUE - HALF FALSE. Up until this year, it was common knowledge that international students could pick between Abuja and Lagos for their NYSC postings. However, when you go to Abuja for your registration, one of the first signs you see says "Foreign-trained graduates do not have the right to choose where they serve." Being Nigeria though, there are ways around this sort of thing. 
3. Orientation Camp is simply military drills, marching, and man 'o war activities. These are components of camp, yes. But there are a gazillion mandatory lectures as well - 98% of which are boring beyond belief! In addition, there are social activities, such as dramas, dances, pageants, bonfire night, etc. 

I think I've covered the basics of NYSC so far. I will touch more on each part of the program in further postings, but I just wanted to give you a snap shot of NYSC.