Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has vowed to abolish the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and scrap the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) if he wins the 2027 presidential election. The human rights activist announced his plans on July 1, 2026, via his X handle, proposing a transparent, merit-based admission system for tertiary institutions and a two-year voluntary National Job Corps to replace the NYSC.
Merit-Based Admissions to Replace JAMB
Sowore argued that tertiary institutions should determine admissions themselves under a transparent, merit-based system, rather than through an additional bureaucratic layer like JAMB. He stated, "When I become President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, @JAMBHQ will be abolished. Admission into tertiary institutions should be determined by the institutions themselves under a transparent, merit-based system, not by another layer of bureaucracy." This proposal aims to streamline the admission process and reduce centralised control.
National Job Corps to Replace NYSC
In place of the NYSC, Sowore plans to establish a two-year, voluntary National Job Corps that guarantees participants meaningful employment, practical skills, entrepreneurship support, and pathways into permanent careers. He criticised the current NYSC scheme, saying, "The National Youth Service Corps @nysc_ng, in its current form, will be scrapped. In its place, we will establish a two-year, voluntary National Job Corps that guarantees participants meaningful employment, practical skills, entrepreneurship support, and pathways into permanent careers." Sowore emphasised that Nigerian youths need opportunities, jobs, and skills, not compulsory schemes.
Public Reactions to Sowore's Proposals
The announcements sparked mixed reactions on social media. User @IgboChronicletv cautioned that outright abolition may not be a silver bullet, noting that many universities already conduct Post-UTME to complement JAMB, which helps maintain a national admission standard. The user also pointed out that NYSC has connected many graduates to jobs and national integration, though it needs reforms. @DGovernorDonjay remarked, "Campaign promises are easy; implementation is the real test. Scrapping JAMB and NYSC without a clear, funded transition plan risks replacing existing flaws with bigger uncertainty." @fery_of_earth questioned the integrity of institutions, asking, "What institutions? The same institution that helps their students settle EXTERNAL INVIGILATORS? Or the ones that help their 'Vip Students' arrange for scholars to write their exams?" @Dyke2017 raised concerns about JAMB staff livelihoods, asking, "What about the 'would be' Jobless JAMB staff and families? Many livelihoods depend on JAMB payroll. Reintegrate them? Maybe..but where?"
Recent JAMB and NYSC Developments
Recall that JAMB recently announced the end of admissions into affiliated degree programmes offered by Colleges of Education, introducing transition options for affected candidates, including transfers to parent universities, institution changes, and migration to NCE programmes. New admission guidelines also mandated O’Level verification for NCE applicants and suspended ongoing UTME or Direct Entry processes for candidates recommended for NCE admission. Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu's government announced significant reforms for the NYSC scheme, with Minister Ayodele Olawande emphasising the need for a review after 53 years of operation to enhance operational leadership and address security challenges for corps members nationwide.
