Why NYSC Merits National Support in a Changing Nigeria
More than five decades after its establishment, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has remained one of Nigeria's most enduring nation-building institutions. Though beset with numerous challenges, experts want the Scheme to be reformed rather than scrapped. They also urge the inclusion of entrepreneurship skills development as part of its core activities rather than parades, drills and other exercises that no longer reflect the prevailing socio-economic realities of the country, ERNEST NZOR reports.
Over the years, millions of graduates have participated in the NYSC programme, serving in schools, hospitals, government agencies, private establishments and rural communities across the country. But despite its historic role, the future of NYSC has become a subject of national debate. Questions bordering on insecurity, unemployment, relevance, cost implications of running the programme as well as national cohesion have triggered calls for either reform or outright scrapping of the scheme.
However, beyond the frustrations and anxieties surrounding the programme, a stronger argument continues to emerge: though reforms and modernisation are required to meet the prevailing realities, the scheme deserves national support. The debate is not merely about a compulsory one-year service programme but fundamentally about how Nigeria intends to build unity, prepare graduates for employment, deploy youthful energy for development in line with its vision and mission.
Established in 1973 in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, the scheme was designed to promote national unity, reconciliation and integration among young Nigerians from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. In such an environment, institutions designed to encourage interactions and cooperation across divides are not optional luxuries but strategic necessities.
Yet, one of the most common criticisms of the NYSC scheme is that despite its goals and objectives, the country is still confronted with ethnic suspicion, political polarisation and regional tensions 50 years after. For many Nigerians, the scheme presents the first meaningful encounter with citizens from another part of the country, an experience believed to have greater impact than imagined.
Former NYSC Director General, Major General Johnson Olawunmi (rtd), recently defended the relevance of the scheme, describing it as a continuing instrument of national integration and development. His position reflects an important reality: national cohesion is not built once and completed forever but requires constant renewal.
Over the years, there have been reports of corps members involved in road accidents while travelling, kidnapped and attacked in conflict-prone areas. There have also been cases of unsafe accommodation or poor welfare conditions. These incidents have understandably increased parental anxiety and have left some graduates wondering if the risks outweigh the benefits of the scheme.
In spite of its challenges, pundits argued that scrapping the scheme is not a better option as the security situation collectively permeates every segment of the country. They rather canvassed a more security-driven operational framework that comprises data-based posting decisions, avoidance of volatile areas, secure transit arrangements, emergency response systems, insurance coverage, rapid relocation procedures and stronger collaboration with security agencies and state governments.
During a recent visit to the residence of former NYSC Director General, Major General Suleiman Kazaure (rtd), the current D.G, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, called for stronger stakeholder engagements to protect corps members and officials during future national assignments. Kazaure also commended the contributions of the scheme to national unity, development, youth empowerment, mentorship and job creation.
Meanwhile, the former NYSC boss urged the current leadership to strengthen collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure the security of corps members and officials who may serve as ad hoc personnel during and after the 2027 general election. The growing insecurity in parts of the country has undoubtedly shaped public perceptions about the scheme. Parents increasingly worry about where their children are posted while potential corps members sometimes seek redeployment immediately after orientation camp for security reasons.
Another recurring criticism is that the scheme has become overly ceremonial. Critics held that the parades, drills and bureaucratic routines during the three-week orientation camping are often contrasted with the difficult economic realities confronting graduates. Many corps members report being posted to offices with little or no work; schools without teaching materials; or institutions where they are unable to effectively utilise their skills. In a country beset with unemployment, critics argued that one year cannot be wasted on unproductive assignments.
The National Coordinator, Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Jamilu Charanchi, said the programme requires redesign to better prepare graduates for productivity and economic relevance. According to him, while the scheme achieved substantial results after the civil war, present day Nigeria faces entirely different realities, including unemployment, technological disruption and economic stagnation.
Charanchi believed that entrepreneurship should become central to the scheme rather than optional, stressing that corps members should leave service with viable income pathways and practical digital skills such as coding, digital marketing, graphic design, remote work capabilities and data management. He added that Nigeria could no longer afford to treat NYSC merely as a transition period between graduation and unemployment.
“Instead, the programme can be transformed into the largest structured youth employability platform in the country,” he said. Charanchi added: “Imagine a service year where corps members earn certifications in technology, agribusiness, renewable energy maintenance, project management, artificial intelligence tools, financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Imagine a system where every participant leaves with practical experience, employable skills, and professional networks. In that model, it will not merely survive criticism but becomes more relevant than ever.”
Across the country, corps members continue to fill manpower gaps in schools, healthcare centres, agricultural outreach programmes, literacy campaigns, voter education drives and local government initiatives. In many rural communities, corps teachers provide essential support in subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Biology, and Physics. In some healthcare centres, corps doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists provide services that communities might otherwise struggle to access. In fact, many rural schools and health facilities depend heavily on such interventions.
Beyond formal assignments, corps members frequently organise sanitation exercises, health awareness campaigns, water projects, after-school tutoring, mentorship programmes and youth empowerment initiatives. These contributions may not always attract national attention but in communities with limited state capacity, they remain tangible and valuable.
Former NYSC Director General, Reverend Peter Okuromade, recently advocated moral rebirth among corps members, stressing the importance of preparing young Nigerians for leadership responsibilities. Speaking during a courtesy visit by the current DG, Okuromade noted that corps members as role models for younger generations should be exposed to the ideals of responsible citizenship, particularly during orientation camp activities.
His position reflects a deeper concern confronting modern societies globally. Across the world, declining civic participation, weakening trust in institutions and growing social cynicism have become a major challenge. A properly structured national service year can help counter some of these trends by promoting teamwork, leadership, patriotism, problem-solving and community engagement.
Some critics also questioned the relevance of drills, parade routines and regimented orientation camp schedules, arguing that Nigeria does not operate compulsory military service as some other countries of the world. They held that orientation camps do not necessarily need to mimic military culture to remain useful, but be redesigned around leadership development, entrepreneurship boot camps, civic education, resilience training, first aid, conflict resolution, digital literacy, mental health awareness and physical wellness.
“The answer is modernisation, not abandonment. Young graduates still benefit from a structured transition between academic life and national responsibility. The format simply requires updating to reflect contemporary realities,” they held.
While scrapping the NYSC scheme may temporarily satisfy public frustration, it will also dismantle one of the few remaining nationwide civic platforms. Thus, strengthening and modernising the scheme will preserve its unifying purpose while correcting its weaknesses. At a time when the country is in urgent need of unity, civic trust, employable skills and youth engagement, the scheme is worth defending.
