How to Apply and Print Your NYSC Exemption Letter

We already know that NYSC program is a one-year mandatory service for Nigerian graduates. However, there are some circumstances whereby some graduates are exempted from participating in the program.

Prospective corps members who are not eligible to participate in the NYSC program are issued the an exemption letter. The NYSC exemption letter is equivalent to to the NYSC discharge certificate at the end of the service year.

What is NYSC Exemption Letter

A letter of exemption or exclusion is issued to the third category of candidates. Graduates who are typically entitled to the NYSC certificate of exclusion are those who have completed their degrees but were unable to participate in the regular academic programs.

To further clarify, the NYSC certificate of exclusion is granted to Nigerian graduates who fall under specific categories that exempt them from the mandatory one-year national service.

This includes graduates who studied part-time, through distance learning, or are over the statutory age limit for service.

These individuals receive the certificate of exclusion as recognition that they are not required to serve, due to their unique circumstances.

NYSC Exemption vs Exclusion

Exemption and exclusion from the NYSC are two different scenarios that apply to graduates under certain conditions. An exemption is given to those who, by virtue of age, health, or employment in certain sectors, are not required to participate in the service year. Typically, this applies to individuals over the age of 30 at the time of graduation, those who have served in the military or certain security services, or those who have received national honors.

Exclusion, on the other hand, refers to graduates who did not partake in the regular academic programs, such as part-time or distance learning students. These individuals receive an exclusion letter, which serves a similar purpose to the exemption certificate but is specific to their educational program.

NYSC Exemption Letter Eligibility

To be eligible for the NYSC certificate of exemption, one must fulfill at least one of the following conditions:

• Be a graduate who was over the age of 30 at the time of graduation.
• Be a part-time student.
• Have completed more than 9 months of service in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
• Be a recipient of a national award such as the “Order of the Niger” or other national honors.

NYSC Exemption Letter Process

The process for obtaining an NYSC exemption certificate involves the submission of the master list of graduates by the institution to the NYSC, followed by verification and categorization of eligible individuals.

Home-trained graduates will receive their certificates from their institutions, while foreign-trained graduates must undergo credential evaluation and physical registration at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja.

Requirements for NYSC Exemption Letter

The required documents includes:

• Completed application form
• Documents showing academic qualifications
• Approved result
• Applicants identity document
• Supporting documents (as instructed)

After submission of the application and the supporting documents, you will be required to make a payment as directed by the NYSC authorities.

After payment, your application will forwarded for verification and validation. Once the application is verified and approved, you will be notified once your Exemption letter is ready to be collected. However, you will be required to collect the certificate from your tertiary institution.

How to Print for NYSC Exemption Letter Online

Follow the procedures below to print your NYSC exemption letter:

• Visit the official NYSC registration portal via https://portal.nysc.org.ng/nysc4/
• Sign up with a functioning email address (if you are registering for the first time, click on ”Registration for Mobilization”).
• Activation link with sent to your email to confirm the creation of account
• Filling in your details in the fields provided
• Click on the submit button
• Proceed to capture your Biometric. (Note this should not be done by proxy).
• Preview your registration form to ensure the details are correct.
• Agree with the registration terms and conditions.
• Upload your scanned signature or sign using a digital signature scanner
• Click on submit

Keep your login details for subsequent use.

• You will be required to make payment for the procedure. Select your preferred method on the
• portal to continue
• Make the required payment to continue. The required payment is usually less than N3,000
• Now check your NYSC dashboard to see if your exemption letter has been made available for immediate printing. If not, you can check after a few days, then make the printout.

Frequently asked questions about NYSC Exemption Letter

Benefits of NYSC Exemption Letter

Holding an NYSC exemption letter is crucial for job search and other career-related endeavors as it serves as proof of one’s exemption from the mandatory service. It is a legal document often required during job applications and further education.

What to Do if NYSC Exemption Letter is Missing?

If an exemption certificate is lost, the graduate must write a letter to the Director-General of the NYSC through their institution, obtain a police report, acquire a court affidavit, and attach a photocopy of the misplaced certificate if available. This will initiate the process for a replacement.

How to Verify NYSC Exemption Certificate

Verification of an NYSC exemption certificate can be done online through the NYSC’s certificate verification portal. This step is essential to ensure the authenticity of the exemption certificate for employers and educational institutions.

NYSC Exemption for Nigerians Abroad

Nigerians who studied abroad and meet certain criteria are also eligible for exemption. They must submit their credentials for evaluation and complete online registration during the specified batch. The exemption certificate is then processed and can be collected at the NYSC Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.

How Long Does it Take to Get NYSC Exemption Certificate?

The timeframe for receiving an NYSC exemption certificate typically aligns with the commencement of the NYSC camp orientation for other graduates. It usually takes about two weeks from this point for the exemption certificate to be ready for collection.