The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has advised female prospective corps members to avoid applying henna on their fingers before reporting to orientation camp. The Scheme said henna stains interfere with biometric fingerprint capture during registration.
In a notice issued on Sunday, NYSC explained that the biometric system requires clear, unobstructed fingerprints to complete the registration process. Henna, commonly used for decoration during weddings and festive periods, creates a temporary dye that prevents scanners from reading prints accurately.
Officials warned that corps members who arrive with henna on their fingers may face delays or failed registration attempts. They urged affected PCMs to remove the stain and ensure their fingertips are clean before biometric verification at camp.
The advisory is part of NYSC’s pre-camp sensitization to help streamline registration and avoid bottlenecks on arrival. Camp officials have been instructed to guide corps members through the process and assist those experiencing biometric issues.
Many female PCMs traditionally apply henna for cultural and aesthetic reasons ahead of camp. NYSC said it understands the practice but emphasized that compliance with biometric requirements is necessary for smooth documentation and identity verification.
The Scheme reiterated that all prospective corps members must adhere to camp guidelines to avoid unnecessary stress. It encouraged PCMs to share the advisory with others to ensure everyone is prepared for a hitch-free registration.