Laudable Reform of NYSC Scheme

The decision by the federal government to reform the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and reposition the scheme for greater efficiency really needs to be commended. For many, it is long overdue.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, while briefing journalists after the weekly FEC meeting, said while the government would maintain the scheme’s one-year duration, it would now introduce skills-based training for greater efficiency.

Other reforms, according to him, include digitalisation and change of leadership structure from military to civilians, among other measures to reposition the scheme for national development.

He listed some of the proposed changes to include risk-sensitive deployments, skills-based primary assignments that aligned with academic background and career pathways, and a redesigned six-week orientation programme with a stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career streams.

Olawande added that there would be improved camp standards through a national grading and certification system and a new graduation ceremony to replace the Passing Out Parade, as well as a redesigned NYSC uniform that reflects professionalism and national pride.

The Special Adviser to the president on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, said specialised cohorts, including a proposed digital corps, may undergo additional training to obtain professional certifications before deployment, improving employability and prospects for self‑employment.

She noted that the scheme would remain a civilian-led scheme while the military will continue to provide security for corps members.

One of the criticisms addressed in these new changes include the deployment of graduates to states experiencing security challenges.

The reform has been commended by many analysts and observers who have described it as long overdue.

In recent years, the NYSC established in 1973, has faced several criticisms, with many Nigerians calling for it to be scrapped, noting it has outlived its usefulness.

Another major criticism of the scheme is that despite the military training they undergo during orientation, they are not automatically recruited into any of the security and paramilitary organisations in the country.

Also, there are no skills acquisition programmes that would enable the corps members to be self-employed after one year of the exercise.

This is why it is believed that the skills acquisition programme will go a long way in giving the corps members a better future.