NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
NYSC: Review or scrap?

NYSC: Review or scrap?

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By Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

When the Federal Military Government, under the leadership of Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retired), set up the NYSC post-Civil War in 1973, many Nigerians praised the scheme.

The mandatory, post-tertiary scheme was part of efforts to “reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country” after the Nigerian civil war.

Today, 52 years later, the programme has come under serious scrutiny.

Michael has just been mobilised in the 2025 Batch A (Stream 1) to participate in the National Youth Service Corps scheme (NYSC) after graduating in late 2024.

For him, the prospect of serving as a corps member is fascinating and apprehensive at the same time.

“I have been posted to a state in the North-Central region, and I look forward to resuming at the orientation camp.

“However, I do not know what to expect with current security challenges everywhere in the country; I hope that my posting will be in the city, not a remote village.”

Iyabo, on the other hand, served a few years ago; she was posted to a state in the South-South from Lagos.

“NYSC was like I wasted one year of my life; I was already an entrepreneur since my undergraduate years.

“Leaving my budding business for one year to go and serve and return to unemployment did not work for me.

“If graduates were offered the option of not serving but being awarded their certificates after camp, people like me would have taken that option,” she said.

Michael and Iyabo are on the parallel sides of a growing call for the NYSC programme to be reviewed.

A parent, Mr Kazeem Salami, said that the NYSC had outlived its purpose in 2011.

“The post-election violence in some states that led to the death of about a dozen members of the NYSC brought to the fore the need to review the scheme.

“I had to think hard and long about it when my son was mobilised the following year; eventually, I decided that his participation would depend on where he was posted,” he said.

General insecurity and the safety of corps members are not the only reasons some stakeholders are calling for a review or outright scrapping of the NYSC scheme.

Some say the seven-point objectives of the scheme, as enunciated in Decree No. 51 (reviewed) of June 16, 1993, have not been achieved.

The seven-point objectives are to promote national unity and integration, inculcate discipline and patriotism, develop self-reliance, contribute to national development, remove prejudices and ignorance, equitable distribution and utilization of skills, and develop a sense of corporate existence.

“The NYSC was principally established to foster unity among the various ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria because participants serve in states and regions other than theirs.

“This is meant to foster understanding, growth and tolerance of different cultures across the nation, most especially to educate them on the customs and traditional practices in communities where they serve.

“Can we genuinely say that we have been able to achieve the objectives?

“When governors begin to evacuate their indigenes from other states, has it not cast a doubt in the minds of Nigerians on the continued validity of the scheme?” an analyst asked.

However, other stakeholders believe that scrapping the scheme will amount to throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

They say that, as a model for national integration and a platform for value orientation, the NYSC should be reorganised to meet the challenges of the 21st century rather than scrapped.

They call for a new scheme that should be properly funded and divided into sub-corps where the energies and intellect of young Nigerians are used to provide for the critical sectors.

Miss Sarah Adejobi, a youth empowerment advocate, said one way to make the NYSC scheme viable was by redefining its focus from post-war national integration to entrepreneurship for national development.

“Corps members are some of the greatest pool of human resources available in the most remote parts of the country; if we do a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis, that is a big strength.

“Therefore, I have been advocating a system whereby they are divided into engineering corps, agricultural corps, medical corps, and educational corps.’’

She said the engineering corps would be designed to help in road construction, maintenance and other engineering works in rural areas.

Adejobi added that the agricultural corps would be designed in line with national food security strategies, with corps members teaching modern farming techniques to rural farmers.

“The medical corps should comprise doctor-corps members and other medical practitioners motivated to provide medical care to rural dwellers.

“Likewise, the education corps will provide qualified, willing and motivated teachers in the rural areas.

“This is the best way to utilise the corps members and maintain continuity, while providing them with job opportunities,” she said.

She said that if administered in the spirit that reflected the changing world, the NYSC scheme would bring out the best in the youths and instill in them the virtues of hard work, diligence, enterprise, patriotism and independence.

Interestingly, the debate about modeling the NYSC has been around for some time.

In 2012, the then Minister of Youth Development, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, said a new agenda was being adopted for the scheme.

The former minister talked about corps members not being given preferential postings to the oil and gas sector or “lucrative” establishments in so-called big states where their services were underutilised.

He also said that corps members would be drafted to the rural areas for cultural diversity and internalising the challenges of cooperation and national integration to bolster the credibility and relevance of the programme.

Critics, who argue that the reforms were not far-reaching, say affluent and influential persons in the polity and the economy had bastardised the scheme by influencing the posting of their children and wards.

They also mentioned insecurity, financial unsustainability, and poor living conditions as some of the factors militating against the implementation of meaningful reforms.

Stakeholders, including a member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese, are therefore making a strong case for “a holistic review of the NYSC and its leadership”.

The suggestion that NYSC should be made optional–allowing individuals to choose whether to participate in the programme or not– is a strong element of that call.(NANFeatures)

 

***If used, please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

FG unveils water project at Abuja NYSC camp

FG unveils water project at Abuja NYSC camp

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By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government has inaugurated a solar-powered water facility at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Kubwa, FCT, as part of the 2025 World Water Day celebrations.

Speaking at the event on Saturday, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving water and sanitation under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Utsev described NYSC as a crucial institution where young Nigerians undergo mandatory national service, making access to clean water essential for their well-being.

He said the ministry had taken proactive steps to address water and sanitation challenges at the camp, which accommodates thousands of corps members every two weeks.

“This water facility will significantly improve access to clean water, promote hygiene, and enhance overall health within the camp.

“The initiative aligns with the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, which aims to improve sanitation nationwide,” he stated.

Utsev also highlighted the 2025 World Water Day theme:, ‘Glacier Preservation’, noting that glacier loss contributes to rising sea levels, extreme weather, and water shortages, which impact Nigeria.

He urged corps members and camp officials to take ownership of the facility and use it responsibly to ensure its long-term sustainability.

The minister expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his leadership in enhancing water infrastructure.

He also commended the NYSC leadership and stakeholders for their contributions, encouraging Nigerians to support sustainable water management efforts.

Earlier, the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunke Nafiu, represented by Alhaji Jimkashi Abdullahi, the Deputy Director Planning, Research and Policy, thanked the ministry for its dedication to improving water access.

Abdullahi acknowledged that water supply has been a longstanding challenge at NYSC camps, affecting both corps members and camp officials.

He emphasised that clean water is fundamental to health, productivity, and sustainable development.

“This intervention represents a significant step towards improving water supply at the camp.

“It also highlights what can be achieved through collaboration between government agencies, reinforcing the importance of partnerships in addressing national development challenges,” he said.

He assured that NYSC management would continue to partner with the government to support national development and urged corps members and staff to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the facility.

“This project is not just an investment in infrastructure but an investment in Nigeria’s future. I commend all those who contributed to making it a reality and appreciate your presence at this event,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Water Day is celebrated annually on March 22 to create awareness on global water challenges.

In sub-saharan Africa, 387 million still struggle without safe water, a crisis set to worsen as the continent’s population rises to 2.5 billion by 2050. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

FG, NYSC partner to curb open defecation

FG, NYSC partner to curb open defecation

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By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has announced a partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to address open defecation and poor sanitation  challenges in the country.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, communicated this at a workshop for NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) Focal Officers of the Clean Nigeria Campaign on Thursday in Abuja.

Pheelangwah was represented by the Director of Reforms and Coordination in the Ministry, Mr Moses Jo-Madugu.

He said that the government had implemented the Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programmes to improve poor sanitation indicators.

“The Clean Nigeria Campaign is a clarion call to action; we are excited to collaborate with the NYSC to mobilise Corps members nationwide.

“Through your CDS activities, we aim to trigger a sanitation revolution to end open defecation in Nigeria.

“With our recently reviewed Strategic Plan, unveiled the Vice-President on Nov. 19, 2024, we believe that activities will be rolled out in line with the YouthWASH Strategy.

“We count on your active participation and engagement; this will accelerate progress towards our common goal,” Pheelangwah said.

In her address of welcome, Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation in the ministry, said the training aimed to equip NYSC CDS officers with the skills to contribute effectively to the Clean Nigeria Campaign.

“Over the next two days, we will explore key strategies, share best practices and engage in collaborative activities.

“These activities are designed to inspire and empower you.”

Ugoh emphasised that the campaign was not only about achieving goals but also about building a passionate community committed to making a positive impact in the sanitation sector.

“Your involvement is crucial; we believe that through this training workshop, you will gain valuable insights that will enhance your role in our efforts to reach individuals in communities across the country,” she said.

She urged the NYSC CDS officers to actively participate in knowledge-sharing.

According to her, it is a collaborative effort and every voice matters.

NYSC Representative, Mrs Funmilayo Ajayi, said that the partnership aimed to raise awareness about hygiene and sanitation at the grassroots level.

Ajayi pledged readiness to work closely with the ministry for a cleaner society, adding that the collaboration would ensure grassroots communities were educated about proper sanitation practices.

In her presentation, the National Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria, Use the Toilet Campaign, Mrs Chizoba Opara, said that a defecation-free Nigeria was everyone’s responsibility.

She added that the collaboration would involve conducting community awareness campaigns through corps members to promote behavioural change.

In his goodwill message, the National Coordinator of the YouthWASH Initiative Africa, Mr Nature Obiakor, said the National YouthWASH Strategic Framework was unveiled in 2023 to promote youth engagement in WASH initiatives.

Obiakor, who stressed that the youth were highly creative, called for more collaboration from stakeholders in the water sector.

He said that the partnership would help build a cleaner and healthier nation for future generations.

“Our efforts are aligned with national and global goals; these include the Clean Nigeria Campaign and the Sustainable Development Goals,’’ he said.

The two-day workshop, organised in collaboration with Self Help Africa, had participants from all 36 states and the FCT.

The event aimed to strengthen the collaboration between the ministry and grassroots organisations to achieve sanitation goals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Minister tasks corps members on creativity, innovation to serve communities better

Minister tasks corps members on creativity, innovation to serve communities better

567 total views today

By Philip Yatai

Dr Mariya Mahmoud, the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has urged prospective graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to be creative and innovative to serve communities better.

Mahmoud made the call during the NYSC pre-mobilisation workshop in Abuja on Tuesday.

She said the world is changing and the needs of communities are equally evolving rapidly.

She stressed the need for prospective youth corps members to be prepared to meet the challenges with creativity, resilience and innovation.

She, however, added that “stakeholders must play a critical role in shaping the experiences of young Nigerian graduates.

“We must ensure that the graduates are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and mindset to contribute positively to the society.”

She described the NYSC as “cornerstone” of national integration and development since its inception in 1973, to foster unity among young Nigerians.

Mahmoud said the pre-mobilisation workshop provides an opportunity to share best practices, explore new ideas, and collaborate on
strategies that would enhance the effectiveness of the scheme.

She noted that the theme of the workshop “Strengthening the NYSC Mobilisation Process for Effective Service Delivery”, resonates deeply with the aspirations of the national vision.

She commended the leadership of the NYSC for the unwavering commitment to improving the quality of service rendered by youth corps members.

She said, “your dedication to training and preparing our youth for the responsibilities they will undertake is commendable.

“By investing in their development, we are investing in the future of Nigeria.”

The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, said the scheme had been the vanguard of nation building, fostering unity among different nationalities, as well as playing critical role in national development.

According to him, the imprints of the scheme are all over the landscape of the nation from the mega cities to every rural community.

Ahmed explained that the mobilisation process is a critical component of the service year that deserved all seriousness.

He pledged the management’s commitment to ensuring that the right things were done at all times for Nigerians to get the best out of the scheme. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

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