Abuja: When the Federal Military Government, led by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, established the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1973, it was hailed as a significant step towards healing Nigeria post-Civil War. The initiative aimed to 'reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country,' promising national unity and integration. However, 52 years later, the programme faces growing scrutiny and calls for significant reform or even abolition.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the NYSC scheme, which mandates post-tertiary graduates to serve the nation for one year, has come under fire for several reasons. Michael, a recent graduate mobilized for the 2025 Batch A (Stream 1), expressed both excitement and apprehension about his posting to a state in the North-Central region. He highlighted concerns over security challenges and hoped for a posting in a city rather than a remote village.
Conversely, Iyabo, who served a few years ago, shared her dissatisfaction with the programme. As an entrepreneur, she felt that the mandatory service disrupted her business and did not lead to meaningful employment opportunities afterward. She advocated for an option allowing graduates to receive their certificates after camp without completing the full year of service.
Mr. Kazeem Salami, a concerned parent, echoed these sentiments, recalling the post-election violence in 2011 that resulted in the deaths of several corps members. He questioned the scheme's relevance in light of ongoing security issues and emphasized that his son's participation depended on the safety of his posting location.
Critics argue that the seven-point objectives outlined in Decree No. 51 of June 16, 1993, remain largely unfulfilled. The objectives include promoting national unity, inculcating discipline and patriotism, and developing self-reliance, among others. An analyst questioned the programme's effectiveness, especially when instances of ethnic evacuations cast doubt on the scheme's continued validity.
However, some stakeholders caution against scrapping the NYSC entirely. They propose reorganization to meet contemporary challenges and suggest creating specialized sub-corps to harness the skills and intellect of young Nigerians for national development. Miss Sarah Adejobi, a youth empowerment advocate, recommended redefining the programme's focus to entrepreneurship, thereby creating opportunities in engineering, agriculture, medicine, and education.
The debate on NYSC reform is not new. In 2012, the then Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, proposed changes to prevent preferential postings and encourage corps members to embrace cultural diversity in rural areas. Critics, however, argue that these reforms were insufficient, citing issues like influential individuals manipulating postings and poor living conditions as persistent challenges.
Stakeholders, including Rep. Philip Agbese, advocate for a comprehensive review of the NYSC programme and its leadership. They propose making participation optional, allowing individuals to decide whether to join the scheme. As discussions continue, the future of the NYSC remains uncertain, with many calling for a reimagined programme that aligns with modern-day realities and effectively addresses the concerns of its participants.