In a surprising move that’s already stirring national debate, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has proposed a two-year extension of the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, up from the current one-year service duration.
The announcement was made during the minister’s courtesy visit to the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Akinyemi Nafiu, on Friday, according to a statement shared on the NYSC’s official Facebook page.
Alausa didn’t just suggest doubling the time commitment for fresh graduates, he also called for the expansion of the NYSC’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program to better equip corps members with practical, job-creating skills.
“Let NYSC give young Nigerians more opportunities to become job creators who will meet the needs of the country,” the minister said, while applauding the NYSC for its role in national development.
What Else Was Proposed?
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Rural Teacher Deployment: Alausa advocated for the deployment of more graduate teachers to rural schools, citing the need to address Nigeria’s widening manpower gap in underserved communities.
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NYSC Reform: The minister also spoke on resolving issues around part-time OND graduates who went on to pursue full-time HND programs but were previously exempted from service.
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Tighter Screening: On his part, the NYSC DG proposed the creation of a national database for Nigerian students studying abroad, to help identify fake degrees and improve monitoring.
“NYSC is ready to comply with policy guidelines and reform the scheme to align with Nigeria’s present needs,” Nafiu assured.
What Does This Mean for Nigerian Graduates?
If implemented, the two-year NYSC policy could significantly change the trajectory of post-graduation life in Nigeria. It may open up longer-term skill-building and employment opportunities, but it also raises concerns about extended delays in job market entry and financial independence for young Nigerians.
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