Are you unsure if you’re eligible for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) because of your age? This guide will help you understand how NYSC calculates your age and whether you qualify for mobilization or will be issued an exemption certificate.

🔍 NYSC Age Limit for Mobilization

The maximum age limit for NYSC mobilization is 30 years. If you’re above 30 years at the time of graduation, you will not be mobilized for service. Instead, NYSC will issue you an Exemption Certificate.

That’s why it’s important to calculate your NYSC age properly — to know where you stand.

✅ How NYSC Calculates Age

The NYSC age is calculated from your date of birth (DOB) to your date of graduation — not the date of application, call-up, or mobilization. The key date NYSC uses is when your school senate approved your final results, which is also printed on your Statement of Result.

🧮 Example 1 – Eligible for NYSC

Let’s say Obinna was born on December 5, 1990, and he graduated on December 4, 2020.

• Age on graduation: 29 years, 11 months, 29 days
  ✅ Obinna is eligible for NYSC.

❌ Example 2 – Not Eligible for NYSC

Now, assume Obinna graduated on December 6, 2020.

• Age on graduation: 30 years, 1 day
  ❌ Obinna will be issued an NYSC exemption certificate.

Even one extra day past your 30th birthday at the time of graduation disqualifies you from serving.

📜 What Graduation Date Does NYSC Use?

The graduation date used by NYSC is the one your school officially approves — not the day you defended your project or wrote your last exam. This date is:

• Found on your Statement of Result
• Sent by your school to NYSC via the Senate List
• Visible during NYSC registration when checking your name on the NYSC Senate List Portal

📅 Which Date of Birth Does NYSC Use?

NYSC can pull your date of birth from:

• Your JAMB records
• Your institution’s records

But in most cases, NYSC uses the date of birth on your JAMB profile for mobilization.

🔍 How to Know the DOB NYSC Is Using

You will only see the actual date of birth NYSC is using during or after your NYSC online registration. That’s when it becomes visible on your NYSC dashboard.

If you notice the DOB is incorrect and pushes your age above 30, don’t panic — you can correct it using your WAEC result.

✍️ How to Correct NYSC Age Using WAEC

If your NYSC age is incorrect due to a wrong DOB and:

• You’re still under 30 based on your WAEC certificate,
• You can apply to correct your date of birth via the NYSC portal using your WAEC PIN.

🔗 Click here for the step-by-step guide on NYSC Date of Birth correction

Note: The WAEC certificate used for correction must show an age below 30 years.

• You are NYSC-eligible if you graduate before turning 30, regardless of your current age.
• NYSC age is based on Date of Birth vs. Graduation Date, not application date.
• Always ensure your school and JAMB DOB are accurate and consistent.
• If necessary, you can correct DOB through WAEC result upload after registration.

If you’re planning to serve, double-check your DOB and graduation date before mobilization begins. Missing it by a single day means you’ll be exempted — and once NYSC issues the exemption certificate, it cannot be reversed.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments. Share this guide with friends who need clarity on NYSC age requirements.

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