The Usman Dan Fodio university Sokoto has dismissed a staff member in its registry department over involvement in an illegal mobilisation scheme linked to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), authorities have confirmed.
The dismissed staff member, identified as Mr Ahmed, was reportedly employed in the university’s registry, an office responsible for maintaining academic records and processing graduating students for national service. His position granted him privileged access to sensitive data, including official lists of graduates eligible for NYSC mobilisation.
According to findings, Mr Ahmed exploited this access to facilitate the unauthorised inclusion of unqualified individuals into the NYSC mobilisation process. The scheme allegedly involved manipulating or inserting names into the official graduation lists submitted to the NYSC, enabling persons who had not legitimately completed their academic programmes to obtain mobilisation clearance.
University management, upon uncovering the irregularities, initiated an internal investigation which confirmed breaches of institutional protocols and ethical standards. The institution subsequently took disciplinary action, resulting in Mr Ahmed’s dismissal.
In a statement, the university reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on fraud and academic malpractice, stressing that the integrity of its records and processes remains paramount. It also assured stakeholders that additional safeguards are being implemented to prevent future occurrences, including tighter verification procedures and restricted access to sensitive data.
The development underscores ongoing concerns about fraudulent practices within the NYSC mobilisation system, where cases of certificate racketeering and illegal enlistment have periodically surfaced. The NYSC itself has, in recent years, intensified efforts to sanitise its mobilisation process through digital verification and collaboration with tertiary institutions.
Observers note that the case highlights the critical role university administrative systems play in maintaining the credibility of national programmes like the NYSC, and the need for continuous oversight to curb abuse.
Further investigations may be conducted to determine whether other individuals were involved in the scheme or benefited from the illegal mobilisation process.


