The Nigerian government has proposed extending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program from its current one-year duration to two years in a bid to enhance skill acquisition and tackle youth unemployment.
This proposal includes an expansion of the NYSC’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program, which aims to provide corps members with practical skills that can drive job creation and contribute to national development.
The announcement was made during a courtesy visit by the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, in Abuja.
In a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Acting Director of Information and Public Relations for the NYSC, details of the meeting and proposed plans were outlined.
Dr. Alausa commended the NYSC for its proactive digital mobilization efforts, which, he noted, have helped address issues such as certificate fraud involving foreign-trained graduates in West Africa. He also praised the Scheme for resolving the issue of Ordinary National Diploma (OND) part-time graduates who previously faced exemption from national service upon obtaining full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications.
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We recognize the NYSC’s significant contributions to the nation’s development. The extension will offer more opportunities for corps members to become job creators, addressing the country’s employment challenges,” Dr. Alausa said.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to digitize the verification process for foreign-trained Nigerian graduates, further ensuring the credibility of certifications.
In addition, Dr. Alausa proposed the deployment of more graduate teachers to rural areas to fill staffing gaps and improve the education system in underserved regions.
Brigadier General Nafiu, in his remarks, reaffirmed the NYSC’s readiness to align with national policies and adapt to emerging national needs. “The NYSC is committed to reforms that will better serve our country’s evolving demands,” he said.
Nafiu also urged the government to create a comprehensive database of Nigerian students abroad to help track graduates and eliminate the issue of fake degrees.
Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with the NYSC to enhance the education sector and support the country’s development goals.
We are eager to collaborate with the NYSC to strengthen the educational system and improve the quality of service delivery across Nigeria,” he added.
