The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has long stood as a defining moment in the journey of every Nigerian graduate. From the excitement of receiving a call-up letter to the sometimes daunting posting to far-flung communities, the scheme symbolises a rite of passage that transcends academic accomplishment. But in a move that has sparked national discourse, the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has proposed a major reform: extending the NYSC programme from one year to two.
This proposal, made during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Akinyemi Nafiu, is more than an administrative suggestion. It represents a reimagining of national service, with the goal of addressing key challenges such as youth unemployment, manpower shortages in education, and the need to make graduates more self-reliant. As expected, it has stirred mixed reactions across the country, with some hailing it as visionary and others questioning its feasibility.
To understand the implications of this proposal, we must revisit the origins of the NYSC scheme, trace its journey over the decades, and critically assess the potential advantages and pitfalls of a two-year national service.
The NYSC was established in 1973, just three years after the Nigerian Civil War. It was conceived as a strategic tool to promote national unity and integration. At the time, the country was grappling with deep ethnic and regional divisions, and the military government under General Yakubu Gowon believed that a structured programme of national service could help heal the wounds of war. The idea was simple yet ambitious: send young Nigerian graduates to regions other than their own, where they would live, work, and contribute to community development. This movement of human resources was not only meant to build bridges across ethnic and religious divides but also to foster a sense of patriotism and national identity.
Over the years, the NYSC has grown into one of the most recognisable institutions in Nigeria. It has provided countless graduates with their first job experience, often in schools, health centres, government offices, and private enterprises. The programme has also evolved to include initiatives such as the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training, designed to equip corps members with vocational and business skills.
Despite its criticisms, the NYSC has recorded significant achievements. It has filled critical human resource gaps in education, especially in rural areas where teachers are in short supply. It has also served as a launchpad for many who later became entrepreneurs, civil servants, and even politicians. Many corps members have contributed meaningfully to their host communities through personal and group projects, such as renovating schools, drilling boreholes, and organising health campaigns.
Moreover, for many young Nigerians, the NYSC represents an opportunity for adventure, self-discovery, and building lifelong relationships. It exposes them to cultures and lifestyles different from their own and instils in them a spirit of resilience, adaptability, and service.
Yet, the NYSC has not been without its shortcomings. Over the years, concerns have mounted over the scheme’s relevance in a rapidly changing world. Critics argue that the programme has become a routine exercise that no longer delivers on its original vision. One of the most recurring issues is safety. The insecurity in various parts of Nigeria has led to corps members being attacked, kidnapped, or even killed. These tragic incidents have led some to question whether the government can guarantee the safety of youths sent to volatile regions.
In addition, many corps members are underutilised, posted to organisations that have no clear roles for them, or are left idle for the better part of the service year. Others are deployed to urban centres through lobbying, defeating the purpose of fostering national integration. There is also the issue of post-service unemployment. For all its noble intentions, the NYSC does little to guarantee long-term employment for graduates. With a saturated job market and limited career guidance during the service year, many corps members find themselves back to square one after passing out.
The Minister of Education’s proposal to extend NYSC to two years has reignited debates about how best to reform the scheme. According to Dr. Alausa, a longer service year would allow for a more robust implementation of the SAED programme and give corps members more time to develop entrepreneurial and technical skills.
At face value, this sounds promising. In a country with a youth unemployment rate hovering around 40%, equipping graduates with marketable skills is an urgent need. A two-year NYSC could allow for a phased programme where the first year focuses on community service and the second on intensive skills training, internships, or even apprenticeships. It could also mean deeper community impact. Corps members would have more time to plan and execute meaningful projects in their host communities. For sectors like education and health, it could provide more stable manpower over a longer period, particularly in underserved areas.
However, the proposal is not without its concerns. First, the economic implications are enormous. Extending NYSC to two years means the government must double its funding for allowances, accommodation, insurance, and logistics. Given the country’s current economic strain, can the government afford this?
Second, many graduates already see the one-year NYSC as a delay to their career aspirations or further education. Extending it to two years could create more frustration and disillusionment, especially if the added time is not well-structured and purposeful.
There’s also the matter of legal backing. The current NYSC Act stipulates a one-year service. Amending the law would require legislative approval and could be met with resistance from various stakeholders.
Furthermore, extending the service period without first addressing existing flaws, such as poor orientation facilities, inadequate training resources, security issues, and corruption in posting processes, may simply prolong an ineffective system.
If the goal is to revitalise the NYSC, then reform is indeed necessary. However, such reform must be inclusive, evidence-based, and carefully phased. Rather than doubling the service year outright, the government could start by strengthening the existing one-year framework.
For instance, the SAED programme can be reviewed and redesigned to include certified training by accredited institutions, followed by mentorship and funding opportunities. Instead of a blanket two-year service, a voluntary second year could be introduced for those interested in further skills acquisition or community development work.
Alternatively, corps members could be given the option to choose between traditional service and a technical track focused on entrepreneurship, vocational training, or digital skills. This approach would make the programme more flexible and responsive to the diverse aspirations of Nigerian youths.
The government must also invest in data collection and impact evaluation to assess what works and what doesn’t. Regular feedback from corps members, employers, and host communities should inform future changes.
The proposal to extend the NYSC to two years has certainly opened up a vital conversation about the future of national service in Nigeria. It challenges us to re-evaluate the purpose of the scheme in a 21st-century context and to think creatively about how to prepare our graduates for life beyond school. However, reforms must be strategic, not reactive. They must seek to enhance the value of service, not merely prolong it. With thoughtful planning, adequate funding, stakeholder engagement, and a genuine commitment to youth development, the NYSC can be transformed into a more impactful, relevant, and empowering programme. Whether one year or two, what matters most is not the duration but the depth of experience and the quality of outcomes.
