Amid rising inflation and economic hardship, several National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have expressed concerns about the program’s ability to fulfil its original mission. According to TheNgEducationNews, many corps members believe the NYSC scheme is no longer meeting its goals, with mounting criticism over safety, financial difficulties, and mismatched career placements.
Established in 1973, the NYSC program is a one-year mandatory service for Nigerian graduates, aimed at promoting national unity and fostering development through posting graduates to different regions of the country. While the scheme has played a role in regional integration and development, there are increasing concerns that it is no longer achieving its intended purpose.
Recent findings show that many corps members serve within their home regions, with fewer graduates being posted to areas outside their own. While this trend can be attributed to concerns over security, particularly due to cases of kidnappings, it raises questions about whether the program is still fostering the national integration it was originally designed to promote.
The safety of corps members has become a significant issue in recent years. Cases of abductions have drawn attention to the vulnerability of corps members in certain regions.
For instance, in early March, Rofiat Lawal, a corps member, was kidnapped along the Benin-Ore Expressway while on her way to her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) in Oyo. After her family paid a ransom of N1.1 million for her release, Lawal reported that the government did not intervene. Similarly, in January, Abasifreke Joseph was kidnapped and, after paying a ransom, her family had to seek online donations to cover her medical expenses following her release. These incidents highlight growing concerns about the security of corps members during their service.
Many corps members have chosen to remain in their home regions, citing safety concerns.
One anonymous corps member expressed frustration, “I don’t think NYSC is achieving its intended goal. Universities and other institutions do as much work in national integration as NYSC.”
In addition to safety concerns, financial struggles have become a major issue for corps members. The current monthly allowance has been criticized as insufficient to cover basic expenses, let alone allow for savings or investments. Many corps members report being tasked with duties that exceed the scope of their compensation.
One anonymous corps member stated, “Private organizations exploit corps members by giving them excessive workloads while offering low pay and delayed payments.”
Another area of concern is the mismatch between corps members’ fields of study and the assignments they receive. Many are posted to PPAs that do not align with their qualifications or career goals. This misalignment often results in little to no career development, leaving graduates feeling unprepared for their professional futures.
In addition, administrative challenges within the NYSC system have led to situations where corps members are posted to non-functional or non-existent PPAs. According to Mr. Ridwan, a former corps member, the NYSC’s data management issues have caused delays and confusion in placements.
Despite these challenges, corps members are calling for reforms to the NYSC program. They are requesting improvements in safety, an increase in the monthly allowance, and more relevant job placements to better align the program with their career aspirations. Some have also suggested that it should be mandatory for employers to pay corps members for the work they perform.
