The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has distanced itself from the proposed N200 annual levy by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), saying payment is not required for students seeking mobilisation for national service.
The NYSC spokesperson, Caroline Embu, gave the clarification in a statement on Tuesday, following reports that NANS was considering linking payment of its dues to the NYSC mobilisation process.
The Scheme said it had neither discussed nor agreed to the arrangement with NANS, and had not entered into any Memorandum of Understanding with the student body on the collection of any levy.
‘The NYSC wishes to state unequivocally that it has not, at any time, discussed, agreed to, or entered into any Memorandum of Understanding with the National Association of Nigerian Students regarding the collection of any levy from students in connection with mobilisation for national service,’ it said.
It explained that mobilisation was conducted through official channels involving the NYSC management and Heads of Corps Producing Institutions, which provide information on their graduates.
‘The mobilisation process is neither linked to nor contingent upon the activities of any student association or organisation,’ the Scheme added.
The NYSC advised students and prospective corps members to disregard any information suggesting that payment to NANS or any student association was required for mobilisation.
The clarification followed comments by NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde, that the association was considering an annual N200 due for students.
Babatunde had also said NANS would work with the NYSC and that students might be required to show proof of payment before mobilisation.