By Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
The Federal Government has inaugurated a reform committee to initiate a comprehensive overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to ensure the scheme remains effective and relevant to current national needs.
This move, it said, marks a significant step toward strengthening the scheme’s structure, relevance, and impact, geared toward aligning it more closely with national development goals and the evolving needs of Nigerian youths.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, was said to have emphasised the vital role the NYSC has played in fostering national unity and youth development since its inception in 1973.
A statement by the Director (Information & Public Relations), Omolara Esan, quoted the Minister as noting that now is the time to reassess and modernise the scheme, to reflect contemporary realities and challenges.
He said: “The issue of safety of corps members, infrastructural deficits, and the broader question about the relevance of the scheme in an increasingly dynamic socio-economic landscape are some of the challenges faced.
“But these also present opportunities that demand urgent, visionary, and determined action.”
Mr. Olawande specified the mandate of the Committee, which include:
- To undertake a comprehensive review of the NYSC Scheme with the aim of transforming it into a more secure, innovative, and impactful institution;
- To critically examine the current operations of the Scheme and propose far-reaching reforms that ensure its responsiveness to the evolving aspirations of Nigerian youth; and,
- The review outcome must align with broader national development objectives, positioning the NYSC as a strategic tool for youth empowerment and nation-building.
The reform marks a significant step toward strengthening the scheme’s structure, relevance, and impact, geared toward aligning it more closely with national development goals and the evolving needs of Nigerian youths.
Under the terms of reference, the Committee is also to:
- Review all existing policy documents, reports, and legal frameworks guiding NYSC operations;
- Engage with stakeholders nationwide through consultations and public forums;
- Recommend legal, policy, and institutional reforms to the NYSC Act and its operational guidelines;
- Propose a framework for improved funding, monitoring, and evaluation; and,
- Submit a comprehensive report to the Minister of Youth Development within the agreed timeframe.
The inauguration ceremony, which was held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, was attended by key stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, proposed the introduction of a Teachers’ Corps and Medical Corps for NCE-certified graduates and healthcare professionals respectively, particularly those willing to serve in rural areas for a two-year (optional) period.
He explained that the Teachers’ Corps would help bridge educational gaps and provide a pathway to government employment, while the Medical Corps would bolster healthcare delivery in underserved communities, addressing critical issues such as maternal and child health.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, underscored the importance of restructuring technical and vocational skills training to align with students’ academic development.
She emphasized that such alignment would empower youth to make meaningful, long-term contributions to their communities and the nation at large.
