Youth Coalition Calls for Halt to NYSC Reforms
A youth advocacy group, the Coalition for National Unity and Youth Development, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), warning that fundamental changes to the 50-year-old scheme should not proceed without thorough stakeholder consultation. The appeal was made in a statement issued on Sunday, July 5, signed by the coalition's president, Abdulrahman Sani, and secretary, Grace Nwafor.
The coalition acknowledged the federal government's intention to modernise the NYSC but argued that reforms of this magnitude require far wider input before reaching the National Assembly. "We respectfully appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow a historic national institution to be fundamentally altered without exhaustive consultation," the statement read. "Mr President has consistently demonstrated that he listens to Nigerians, and we sincerely beg him to pause this process and allow broader stakeholder engagement before any irreversible decision is taken."
Proposal for an Expanded Review Committee
The group proposed that the president constitute an expanded committee drawing from former NYSC directors-general, security experts, university administrators, employers, labour unions, youth organisations and civil society bodies to properly evaluate the proposals. This, they said, would ensure that any reform reflects the views of all stakeholders and preserves the scheme's core objectives.
The coalition warned against reducing the NYSC to a vocational training programme, stressing that its central purpose has always been national cohesion rather than skills acquisition. "It would be unfortunate if the NYSC gradually loses its identity and becomes known merely as another government skills acquisition programme," the statement said. "Skills are important, but they are not the reason the scheme was created. Its greatest achievement has been bringing young Nigerians together across ethnic, religious and regional divides at a time when our country desperately needed healing."
Defence of Military Orientation and Emergency Role
The group also defended the scheme's military orientation, drawing comparisons with Singapore, South Korea, Israel and Switzerland, countries that have maintained structured national or military service for their youth because of its role in building discipline and civic responsibility. The coalition cited Nigeria's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence of the scheme's value as a national emergency asset, noting that NYSC doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists staffed isolation centres and public hospitals when pressure on the healthcare system peaked.
On the issue of digital innovation, the coalition pointed out that the NYSC already operates one of the most advanced digital administrative systems in the public sector, covering mobilisation, deployment and records management. "The bigger challenge is funding," the statement said. "Give the scheme adequate resources, modern facilities and stronger welfare, and it will continue to deliver even greater value to Nigeria."
Concerns Over Public Discourse and Legislative Process
The group observed that public discourse on the reforms had quickly narrowed to debates about uniforms and fabric choices, a development it said exposed the dangers of insufficient consultation before legislation. The coalition urged the National Assembly to conduct extensive public hearings on any amendment to the NYSC Act, insisting that a programme affecting generations of Nigerian graduates deserved input from all who have built, managed and passed through it.
Previously, mixed reactions have trailed the federal government's decision to extend the NYSC orientation programme from three weeks to six weeks. Facebook user Kudogi Alkali described the extension as excessive: "Six weeks in NYSC camp will be psychological torture. Most corps members wouldn’t be in the right frame of mind to learn anything beyond week three, and everything listed can be delivered online and in-person during the rest of the service year."
