By Clement Abayomi
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has become one of the most debated programmes in Nigeria, fifty-two years after it began. The objective when it was established in 1973 was to assist in the rebuilding of the country, following the civil war under Gen. Yakubu Gowon. Among (young) Nigerians, it aimed to foster unity, peace, and a sense of shared national identity. Today, though, insecurity, unemployment, and spiraling cost of living cause some to wonder: Should the NYSC stay as it is or should it be totally transformed?
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) explains that the scheme was founded to “reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country” and was backed by Decree No. 51, reviewed in 1993, which listed seven key objectives. These included promoting national unity, encouraging self-reliance, and fostering national development. Reforms intended at sending corps members to rural areas rather than “lucrative” industries in big cities were declared in 2012 by then Minister of Youth Development, Bolaji Abdullahi. Critics claim, however, that those changes did not amount to much effect. They point to how frequently influential people influence postings, while low welfare and insecurity keep the initiative less effective [News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)].
READ ALSO: NYSC DG urges corps members to embrace skills, entrepreneurship training
The call for a total review gained new attention when Awaji Inombek Abiante, a member of the House of Representatives elected in 2019, proposed a bill to scrap the scheme. As reported by The Guardian, Abiante argued that NYSC has lost its relevance in Nigeria today. He, for example, cited “incessant killings of innocent corps members due to banditry, religious extremism, and ethnic violence,” as well as frequent rejection of corps members by employers. He added that many organisations now rely on corps members for cheap labour and discard them “without any hope of being gainfully employed” after their service year. He noted that insecurity has become so widespread that the NYSC management now posts most corps members within their geopolitical zones for safety. His argument seems to reflect what many Nigerians have been saying, the claim that the programme no longer meets its original purpose of fostering unity and national service.
Security incidents have continued to cast doubt on the safety of the programme. 35 corps members and four military officers were abducted in Enugu, with the kidnappers demanding millions in ransom (Sahara Reporters). According to Crispng, a similar case happened in October 2023 when corps members travelling from Akwa Ibom to Zamfara were kidnapped and later rescued by the military. Stories like these have made many young Nigerians wonder if NYSC is still worth the risk.
However, not everyone agrees that NYSC should be scrapped. On the popular Nairaland Forum, one user said:
“Forget the money. Money isn’t everything. The experience I had at Osun State can’t be traded. NYSC is one of the best things to happen to any Nigerian graduate. It positioned me mentally for this successful future. Money can’t buy the NYSC experience!”
But some young Nigerians disagree. Emmanuel Ferdinand, a graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), for instance, believes the scheme should be scrapped.
“Insecurity. Sad stories of death. It delays one’s time. Expenses — relocation and others,” he said.
Another Nairaland Forum respondent was more direct: “Personally, I feel NYSC should be scrapped, and the government should stop wasting innocent youth’s time and energy. . . I feel NYSC has lost its original purpose. Most youth, after NYSC, remain unemployed, so what is the major gain of serving the country? I think they should rather provide job opportunities for youths, by establishing more industries and also upgrading of various sectors in the country, which will equally help in moving the country forward. Does any youth still have faith in this NYSC scheme? For me, NO!”
Others are calling for reforms instead of total cancellation. Ikechukwu, a corps member currently serving in Lagos, said:
“NYSC has disadvantages, but it has its purposes, and so on. So I won’t say they should scrap it . . . I feel it should be reformed for the modern economy, because community relationship and growth, fostering good membership–those ones are important. I’m more on the side that it should be reformed. Let it reflect our reality.”
Christiana, another LASU graduate, also believes reform is the better option but warns that any change must be carefully planned.
“Repurposing it for economic values is something that is very good, but it must be looked into first. The dynamic(s) of trying to make NYSC become something that can benefit the country economically must be looked into so that it does not flop in the end. The country (as it is) is a nation that is fragile; even some good decisions that are being made can affect negatively, especially when the aftermath is not prepared for . . . . So what we need to do now is to think: What exactly is that economic change that is going to be applied or brought in, how feasible is it going to be?” she said.
In addition, Okezie Omorogie on Crispng argues that NYSC should be “abolished entirely”. However, he suggests that NYSC could be made optional to save costs, while graduates should have the choice to engage in skill-acquisition programmes that match their field. He also proposes that corps members serve in their home states to reduce security risks and that government should partner with private companies to provide better job-related experience.
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After 52 years, NYSC is still among the most recognised national initiatives in Nigeria. Many think it no longer fulfills its actual goal as insecurity increases and employment options get fewer. Some maintain that it may still be effective if appropriately reformed, while some argue that it has become obsolete and irrelevant. However, whether the government scraps it or modifies it, one thing is evident; should NYSC not adjust to Nigeria’s changing realities, it runs the risk of losing its relevance.
