NYSC Exemption Certificate: All You Need to Know

I believe you must have heard about the NYSC exemption certificate and you wonder whether it applies to you or not.

This is even more confusing if you’re above 30 years.

The National Youth Service Corps promotes national unity and development by engaging Nigerian graduates under 30 years old in a one-year service to the nation. Participants who successfully complete the program receive NYSC Discharge Certificate which is an official proof service completion.

However, not all graduates are eligible to participate in the program. For the ineligible ones, NYSC either issue the Exemption Certificate or the Exclusion Letter, depending on the circumstance.

NYSC Exemption Certificate


In this guide, I’ll focus on the NYSC Exemption Certificate, its purpose, and how to obtain it. You can also read my article on the NYSC Exclusion Letter to better understand the differences.

Before I continue, it is important to understand that the three types of NYSC certificates (Discharge, Exemption, and Exclusion) serve the same purpose in Nigeria.

Employers and government agencies treat them equally, meaning they do not view exempted graduates as inferior to those who served.

Having said that, let’s dive right in!

What is NYSC Exemption Certificate?

The NYSC Exemption Certificate is issued to graduates who are not allowed to participate in the one-year NYSC scheme because of certain reasons. Employers and government agencies in Nigeria recognize this certificate as proof of exemption from the program.

The NYSC Exemption Letter, as it is sometimes called, is the arrangement of NYSC to ensure that even though some categories of graduates are exempted from service, they are not victimized as a result of that.

It is worth knowing that both local and foreign graduates can receive service exemptions if they meet the required conditions.

Who is Eligible for NYSC Exemption?

Section 2, Subsection (2) of the NYSC Act Cap N84 LFN 2004 exempts any graduate from service who fulfills at least one of the conditions below as of the date of graduation.

  1. Over the age of thirty (30) at graduation.
  2. Has served in the Armed Forces of the Federation or the Nigeria Police Force for a period of more than nine months.
  3. Member of staff of any of the following:
  • The Nigerian Security Organization.
  • The State Security Service
  • The National Intelligence Agency
  • The Defence Intelligence Service
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4. Has received any National Honour.

For clarity, the age criteria above is verified by comparing the date of birth on JAMB against the date of graduation provided by corps producing institutions.

NYSC Exemption Letter
Sample of NYSC exemption letter


How to Apply for NYSC Exemption Certificate

The NYSC mobilization process allows you to obtain the Exemption Certificate. However, it is important to note that you don’t “apply” for NYSC Exemption. Eligible persons automatically receive exemption after NYSC online registration.

What this means is that you don’t get to choose whether or not you want to be exempted from service.

👉 Do You Know? You can join my WhatsApp Channel for updates so you don’t miss out on applying for your exemption certificate.

Immediately after completing online registration, the NYSC system automatically updates this based on the information provided on the senate list and what you supplied during online registration..

If you schooled in Nigeria, check out this guide to know the registration requirements. For those that school outside of the country, the foreign graduates registration requirements are for you.

In a nutshell, those exempted from service basically do the same activities as every other PCM. The only difference is that their NYSC journey ends after online registration.

I believe I have been able to educate you on what the NYSC Exemption is and what qualifies one for it. Here are some frequently asked questions that might be helpful for you.

What is the difference between NYSC Discharge and Exemption certificate?

Those who participate in the NYSC service for a period of 12 months receive the NYSC Discharge Certificate. On the other hand, graduates excused from service on certain grounds, as explained above, receive the exemption certificate.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Exemption Certificate?

The processing time for the NYSC Exemption Certificate depends on the NYSC schedule. Typically, you should receive it within 3 months after successfully registering online for NYSC. You’ll be notified when your certificate is ready for collection at the Students’ Affairs Unit of your School.

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Can I get a job with a NYSC Exemption Letter?

Yes, you can! Employers of labor within the country are legally required to recognize and accept the NYSC exemption certificate, which serves the same purpose as the Discharge Certificate.

Is there something I didn’t cover in this article? Feel free to drop your comments in the box below.

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95 thoughts on “NYSC Exemption Certificate: All You Need to Know”

  1. Hauwau Ahmad muhd

    Am a studen of NTI pls I need my exemption I hauwau Ahmad muhd pes departmen matriculation no 5795 center umaru Ali polytechnic sokotosession 2016 2019

  2. Tina Paul Maichiki

    I have apply for exemption letter but have not received any message from my email whether is ready or not

  3. I did my first degree and served 2017 , later i did another and graduated 2024. Will i get exemption certificate from nysc .

      1. Local man,

        The question im asking is will i get any certificate from Nysc after doing my another degree. What should i expect.

  4. Ugbaje justice ugbede

    I have applied for an exemption letter, since last year, I haven’t receive any reply.
    What is my next step to go

  5. Ale olushola Philip

    My name is Ale olushola Philip with matriculation number 090…, business administration student, I apply for my NYSC exemption letter a year ago, but up till now I have not heard any thing. The phone I apply with is not working due to change of environment. My new phone number is 070…

    1. Your exemption certificate must have been delivered to your institution and again returned back to NYSC because you didn’t pick it up. I’d advise you visit NYSC headquarters in Abuja for help.

  6. Tarela Elizabeth Brown

    What if the applicant signs up for nysc and something came up then he or she couldn’t make it to camp again then applies for exemption or exclusion from nysc will they still be given the nysc uniform and boot

    1. Tarela Elizabeth Brown

      I didn’t say if you apply for exclusion or exemption I said if someone had applied to serve for nysc will the person get [hr nysc uniform and boot and what if something came up and the person can’t continue in service any longer can the person opt for exemption or exclusion from nysc

  7. Tarela Elizabeth Brown

    What if the applicant signs up for nysc and something came up then he or she couldn’t make it to camp again then applies for exemption or exclusion from nysc will they still be give the nysc uniform and boot

  8. Good morning, Local man. I finished my distance program 2021 and I’m yet to register for the exemption letter. Right now I’ve gotten a job and need the exemption certificate urgently. What do I do?

    1. Hi there Flora. If your distance program is from a foreign institution, then this article is the first action you need to take. If it’s from a an institution in Nigeria, contact them so they can mobilize your details on the NYSC senate list

  9. I graduated in LASPOTECH in the 2014, but was not able to serve due to being a part time student. How can I apply for exemption letter please.

  10. Can an employer of a federal government agencies apart from the Armed forces or security agencies as mentioned in the article after completion of his education be considered for Exemption from Servicing for not being absent from work for a period of one year?

  11. Mary Abimbola Jayeola

    I just got my exemption letter last week, when will the certificate be ready and sent to my school?

  12. Local man, those that are above 30, that are given exemption certificate, are they going to be paid their monthly salary

  13. Graduated since Feb 2025 from National open University of Nigeria.
    I need help in getting NySc exemption certificate

  14. Hello brother,
    I have registered and notified that I will be getting an exemption as I am above 30.

    My Question is do I have to pay for Calm up letter?

  15. How do I navigate between the senate list or its equivalent. I graduated since 2012 but hasn’t been able to pick up mmy exemption certificate but I need it to process a registration form for TRCN. I have gotten a link for pre-regiatration but could complete it because there was no record found by the system.

  16. Please I want to apply for exception letter.
    I have graduated since 2016 .
    My school uniport refered us us to café.
    Please how can I get it.

  17. If I apply for exemption, is it just exemption from camp or from the whole NYSC, that is, I’ll forfeit the allowance.
    And is it during registration, I’ll apply for exemption?

    1. You cannot apply for exemption from NYSC. I think what you’re trying to say is exit from camp which has nothing to do with your overall NYSC service.

  18. I graduated at 31 and I really wish to serve. I tried changing my dob in jamb office but they no longer change it. Is there a way I can do it?

  19. Ohamadikechimezie

    I lost my mtn which I used during nysc registration in 2017 and mtn has sold it to another customer.

    I can’t remember my login details anylonger
    How can I sort it out

  20. Ohamadike chimezie

    I registered for my nysc in the 2017 but could not go to camp after which I lost the mtn line which I used in registration .
    Now am ready to serve but I have forgotten my log in details and mtn has sold my line to another customer.

    How do I go about it because I need to revalidate befoere going to camp again

  21. Can I apply for a NYSC exemption letter 2 years after graduating, considering I was 28 years old at graduation and will be 30 years old at the time of application?

    1. Oluwadamilola Taiwo

      Good evening from here, I graduated since 2021 b4 I clock 30 but could not go for service due to change of name, the surname on my nd is not the same as HND due to marriage but I just want to apply for exemption now,so I need a guide on what to fill in the online registration.

  22. UNUNG Patrick Agwu

    I graduated 2019 and was issued letter of exclusion but yet to get the certificate of exemption, that is why the first request.

  23. Please how can I check my dashboard which link can I use to check if my exemption letter is ready…I just registered this last batch C for it so I want to check to know if the letter is ready please…thank you

      1. Hello good morning.. I’m currently serving right now but I have the opportunity to travel abroad for my master’s degree. My question is if I abandon my service now, will I be eligible for exemption if I perhaps return? Or I’ll have to restart the whole service year again?..

  24. Hello, good afternoon, so I initially graduated with a low class of result in 2014 and went for nysc 2015/2016, then I went back to school and graduated 2024 with a 2:1, trying to apply for a job and I put my 2024 result but it’s asking for nysc no, can I put my 2016 nysc no as my exemption letter for my 2024 degree is not out yet.

  25. Hussaina Ibrahim Jalo

    I have already completed my NYSC EXEMPTION since 2018 but uptll now I haven’t received my NYSC EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE, how can I get it now? Pls kindly help me for the way out.
    Thanks. Hussaina Ibrahim Jalo.

  26. I want to know more about this why is jamb treating other’s this way,on like me,I have gone to jamb office more than 5times,for just regularization,I was treated like,I’m not from this country why,or jamb office have to political office also

  27. I completed my B.ed in 2001 and already working with my NCE,So l didn’t bother about nysc exemption letter,but it’s been requested for now , how do l go about it?
    Thanks.

      1. I just completed my HND and I am planning to write Jamb 2025 to process another admission for BSC. I want to ask if this will not affect my NYSC this year.

    1. Odesina Lizzy Tope

      I wanted to apply for my exemption certificate in the last batch c registration, I couldn’t proceed because it was telling me that the name on my NIN doesn’t correspond with the one on the Senate list, which is true because when I married I registered my NIN with my husband name. In this case what can i do.

  28. Dear Sir,
    I wish to ask about a situation where by the graduate student is sent a call up letter after the Nysc registration exercise for an orientation camp where as the person is already over aged but as a result of jamb error on date of birth which is different from the person’s date of birth on the NIN.
    The person wants to be exempted and is been forced to appear in camp for facial verification and after that is been ask to write application to Nysc to be exempted for the service right there in camp. After the application letter notifying Nysc that there was an error on his date of birth from jamb, that he
    should be exempted base on age. He is hereby ask to go home from camp during registration days and expect the exemption letter after one month to three months of the application. Is it possible for the person to get the exemption letter. Thank you

  29. Good morning sir, when I applied for the nysc in 2019 the age l used then was 30 yrs , but for some reason I couldn’t go till today, please can I apply for exemption certificate. Please guide me

  30. Can someone who graduated 9yrs ago and yet to register for his nysc exemption certificate still have the window to register online and possibly be included? Visa-vis 2015/2016

  31. How can I register for NYSC and apply for exemption letter from outside the country, I graduated in 2022, from the Ebonyi state university?

    1. Only if you can get your school to mobilize you for NYSC. Even at that, you need to register and capture your biometrics which can only be done at NYSC accredited cyber cafes.

  32. Kayode Sunday Oyetunji

    I studied on part-time while working. I did satellite classes(Lagos state)under the polytechnic Ibadan. I travelled out of the country after completed my HND Programme and unable to process my exception NYSC letter if it was then possible. So as it stands is there any hope of getting exception certificate.

  33. Good day.
    I need to obtain the Exemption Certificate.
    I graduated from the Lagos State University in 2011 (Satellite campus). I submitted the form in the school and couldn’t get the NYSC exemption certificate. Majority of my mate got theirs.

    Please guide me on how to get it

  34. Adeuyi Ayodele Olawale

    I wish to correct my NYSc exclussion certificate .
    They wrote HND instead BSC .
    I graduated from the university of Ado

    1. Adeuyi Ayodele Olawale

      I wish to correct my NYSc exclussion certificate.
      I graduated from university of Ado-Ekiti studied SLT physics with Electronics options 5years awarded final Diploma certificate inline if first degree.
      My NYSC supposed to be first degree as against HND which is not within the purview of the university