The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has issued a fresh advisory to female prospective corps members, warning them against applying henna on their fingers prior to reporting to orientation camps across Nigeria.
The scheme explained that the use of henna, commonly known as mehndi, can interfere with biometric fingerprint capture during the mandatory registration process.
According to the NYSC, the biometric system used at camp is a key part of its identity verification process, designed to prevent impersonation, ensure accurate record-keeping, and streamline the mobilisation of graduates into the national service programme.
Female prospective corps members are advised to avoid applying henna on their fingers before going to camp, as it will affect their biometric fingerprint capture during registration, the statement from the scheme noted.
Officials further explained that henna temporarily stains the skin and may blur fingerprint ridges, making it difficult for scanners to properly read or verify identities. This could lead to delays during registration or repeated attempts to capture clear biometric data.
The advisory is particularly relevant as thousands of graduates prepare to resume at various orientation camps nationwide for the next service year. The NYSC has consistently relied on biometric verification as part of efforts to curb fraud and maintain the integrity of its mobilisation process.
