In a bold move to curb youth unemployment and boost national productivity, the Federal Government has proposed extending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme from one year to two years.
This proposal was announced during a courtesy visit by the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, in Abuja.
According to a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Acting Director of Information and Public Relations at NYSC, the extension will focus on strengthening the NYSC’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, aiming to empower corps members with practical skills to become job creators.
“You have done so well as an organization. Let NYSC give people more opportunity to become job creators that will meet the needs of the country,” said Dr. Alausa, who applauded the NYSC for digitising its mobilisation process and tackling certificate fraud among foreign-trained graduates.
He also commended efforts to resolve challenges faced by OND part-time graduates who acquire full-time HNDs but were previously denied service eligibility.
The Minister revealed that plans are underway to digitise the verification of foreign-trained Nigerian graduates, improving transparency and credibility in the education sector.
Dr. Alausa further called for the deployment of more corps members as teachers in rural schools, addressing manpower shortages in underserved communities.
In his remarks, Brigadier General Nafiu reaffirmed NYSC’s commitment to align with national policies:
“NYSC is ready to comply with policy guidelines as directed by the Federal Government. We are reforming the Scheme to reflect present national needs.”
He urged the creation of a comprehensive database for Nigerian students abroad, to aid educational planning and reduce the infiltration of fake credentials.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, expressed readiness for deeper collaboration:
“We are prepared to work more closely with the NYSC to uplift education in the country,” he stated.
The proposed NYSC extension comes at a time when many Nigerian youths face rising unemployment despite possessing academic qualifications. The government’s renewed focus on practical skills and entrepreneurship could offer a vital lifeline to millions of young graduates seeking meaningful engagement in the labour market.
