A Nigerian pastor has issued a strong warning to prospective National Youth Service Corps members, advising them to avoid mobilization if posted to northern parts of the country due to security concerns.
Fatherly Advice for Graduates
Reverend Dr Olaleye Oluwafemi, the lead pastor of Oikia Christian Centre, took to social media platform X to deliver what he described as fatherly counsel to Nigerian graduates preparing for their mandatory national service. The clergyman emphasized that he was speaking from a paternal perspective, concerned about the safety of young Nigerians.
The pastor explicitly stated that graduates should remain at home rather than report to NYSC orientation camps in northern Nigeria if deployed to that region. His message carried emotional weight as he questioned the logic of parents investing heavily in their children's education only to expose them to potential danger during national service.
Security Concerns and Government Responsibility
Olaleye expressed deep concern about the security situation in certain parts of northern Nigeria, suggesting that the government has failed to adequately address the safety challenges in these areas. He described it as "madness" for fathers to hand over their children to states that demonstrate little empathy for citizens' welfare.
The pastor warned graduates against allowing themselves to be used as pawns by what he termed "wicked men," emphasizing that they should only consider serving in areas deemed safe for their one-year national service program.
Public Reaction to the Warning
The pastor's message, posted on November 23, 2025, quickly generated significant reactions across social media platforms. Many Nigerians expressed support for his position, while others questioned the implications of such advice for national unity and the NYSC program's objectives.
One social media user, @imagecrystalia, questioned the government's logic in deploying young graduates to regions where security challenges remain unresolved. Another commenter, @OldieGuy, suggested that some graduates prioritize the social status associated with NYSC participation over critical safety considerations.
Several respondents called for more drastic measures, with @Fourfiguretable advocating for the temporary suspension of the NYSC program until the country's security situation improves substantially. Similar sentiments were echoed by @AbiolaAdebisi7, who emphasized the paramount importance of human life over program completion.
Broader Implications for National Service
The pastor's warning raises important questions about the future of the National Youth Service Corps program, established in 1973 to reconstruct and reconcile the country after the Civil War. The scheme has traditionally emphasized national unity by deploying graduates to states outside their ethnic and geographical origins.
However, growing security challenges in various regions have prompted renewed debate about the program's viability in its current form. Some commentators suggest the need for comprehensive reform that prioritizes participant safety while maintaining the scheme's original objectives.
The controversy emerges amid broader national concerns about security management and the protection of citizens, particularly young people who represent Nigeria's future. The pastor's emotional appeal reflects the anxiety many Nigerian families experience when their children receive postings to regions perceived as high-risk.
As the discussion continues, prospective corps members and their families face difficult decisions about participation in a program that represents both a constitutional requirement and potential security risk in certain deployment locations.
