The Federal Government has inaugurated a high-level committee to carry out a comprehensive review of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), aiming to strengthen the scheme’s relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with the evolving needs of Nigerian youth and national development.
The move comes in response to growing concerns around the safety of corps members, deteriorating infrastructure at orientation camps, and questions over whether the scheme remains fit for purpose in today’s social and economic landscape.
The committee was formally inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday, with representatives from government, civil society, and the private sector in attendance.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, acknowledged the NYSC’s historic contribution to fostering national unity and youth development since its establishment in 1973.
“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,” Olawande said. “However, these challenges also present opportunities that require urgent, visionary, and determined action.”
The committee’s mandate includes evaluating the scheme’s operational structure, proposing reforms to enhance its safety, creativity, and impact, and ensuring it aligns with broader national development goals.
“The outcome of this review must position the NYSC as a strategic tool for youth empowerment and nation-building,” the Minister added.
The committee will consult stakeholders nationwide, review existing policies, and recommend updates to legislation, governance structures, and funding models. It will also explore more effective mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the scheme’s outcomes.
A final report will be submitted to the Ministry within a specified timeframe.
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Also speaking at the event, Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced plans to establish a dedicated Teachers’ Corps and Medical Corps, targeting NCE graduates and healthcare professionals willing to serve in rural communities.
“The Teachers’ Corps will help bridge educational gaps and provide a pathway to government employment, while the Medical Corps will enhance healthcare delivery in underserved areas, addressing urgent issues such as maternal and child health,” Alausa said.
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman, highlighted the importance of aligning NYSC reforms with technical and vocational training to better equip young Nigerians for long-term community and national impact.
“Such alignment would empower young people to make meaningful, long-term contributions to their communities and the nation as a whole,” she stated.
