FG Begins NYSC Reform to Tackle Safety, Relevance, and Funding Issues

The Federal Government has set up a committee to reform the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This committee will look at how to make the scheme safer and more useful for today’s Nigerian youth.

It was inaugurated on Tuesday in Abuja. Top officials from ministries, civil society groups, and the private sector attended the event.

The NYSC was created in 1973 to promote national unity and offer Nigerian graduates a chance to serve the country for one year.

Over time, however, complaints have grown. Young graduates face serious safety risks during service. Many are posted to conflict zones or poor communities without proper support.

Some are even attacked or kidnapped while travelling to or from their places of assignment. There are also complaints about poor living conditions in NYSC camps, limited job skills training, and a lack of relevance in today’s fast-changing economy.

Youth Minister Ayodele Olawande said reform was long overdue.

“The issues of corps members’ safety, infrastructural challenges, and the broader question of the scheme’s relevance in an increasingly dynamic socio-economic environment are among the key concerns,” he said.

“However, these challenges also present opportunities that require urgent, visionary, and determined action.”

Committee to Review NYSC Operations and Propose Major Changes

The new reform committee will study the entire NYSC structure.

It will also talk to former and current corps members, state governments, and private employers who accept NYSC postings.

The goal is to turn the scheme into a more secure, modern, and useful programme that benefits both the country and the youth.

“The outcome of this review must align with broader national development objectives,” Olawande added. “It must position the NYSC as a strategic tool for youth empowerment and nation-building.”

The committee will also recommend new funding plans. Many states owe corps members allowances or fail to provide accommodation.

Monitoring and evaluation systems will be added to track how the scheme is working and if it’s meeting its goals.

The team has been asked to submit a full report to the Youth Ministry within the official timeframe.

Teachers’ and Medical Corps Proposed for Rural Nigeria

Also at the event, Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa proposed two new service programmes.

One is a Teachers’ Corps. The other is a Medical Corps.

The idea is to use certified teachers and health workers to serve in rural areas.

“The Teachers’ Corps would help bridge educational gaps and create a pathway to government employment,” Alausa said. “The Medical Corps would strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved areas, addressing critical issues such as maternal and child health.”

His proposal comes at a time when many rural communities lack teachers and trained medical staff.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, said the government should also focus on technical and vocational training.

“Such alignment would empower young people to make meaningful, long-term contributions to their communities and to the nation as a whole,” she said.

The NYSC reform committee’s work is expected to bring big changes to the way Nigerian graduates serve the country.

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