A prominent human rights lawyer based in the United Kingdom has sounded the alarm on the deteriorating security situation affecting the National Youth Service Corps program across Nigeria.
Growing Threats to Corps Members
Chief Niyi Aborisade, a respected public affairs analyst and governorship aspirant in Oyo State under the Peoples Democratic Party, has called for immediate structural changes to the NYSC scheme. He emphasized that the worsening insecurity nationwide has made the 51-year-old program unsafe and unable to fulfill its original purpose of fostering national unity.
In his thought-provoking article titled "Reflections Without Mirror," Aborisade traced the history of the NYSC, noting it was established in 1973 through Decree 24 during General Yakubu Gowon's administration. The program was created to promote reconciliation and social cohesion following the Nigerian civil war.
The lawyer highlighted that the scheme functioned effectively for decades when Nigeria experienced relative stability, rule of law, and shared optimism among young graduates. However, he lamented that the current security landscape has dramatically changed this reality.
Security Crisis Demands Immediate Action
Aborisade pointed to numerous cases where corps members have lost their lives or been kidnapped by various armed groups including Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, and armed herders. He stressed that human life should be prioritized over sentimental attachments to tradition.
"The hope for unity by integration has long disappeared," Aborisade stated unequivocally. "Life is worth more than anything, and the safety and security of corps members should now be our priority, not sentiments about tradition."
The legal expert argued that the federal government can no longer guarantee the safety of young graduates deployed to volatile states. He specifically mentioned repeated abductions and killings in northern states including Borno, Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara as evidence of the deteriorating situation.
Proposed Solutions for a Safer NYSC
While not advocating for complete abolition of the NYSC, Aborisade insisted the program requires fundamental structural changes to reflect current realities. His proposal includes allowing corps members to serve within their geopolitical zones or home states, similar to the federal government's recent temporary closure of unity schools due to security concerns.
"A parent who has trained a child through university should not be forced by mandatory posting to send that child into hotspots where insurgents operate freely," he argued. "Posting graduates to danger zones for the sake of unity no longer makes sense."
Aborisade referenced Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution, which identifies security and welfare of citizens as the primary purpose of government. He warned that failure to protect corps members constitutes dereliction of duty by authorities.
The historian and author maintained that until comprehensive reforms are implemented, the original objectives that guided the creation of NYSC five decades ago cannot be achieved in today's climate of pervasive insecurity. He stressed that the program must be reviewed to ensure safety, restore public confidence, and align with Nigeria's current security challenges.
