In response to the escalating security challenges faced by members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the federal government has announced a significant policy shift, ceasing the posting of corps members to states deemed “very unsafe.”
This decisive action aims to safeguard the well-being of young graduates serving their mandatory one-year national service.
Minister of Youth, Jamila Ibrahim, disclosed this development during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, she stated, “As an immediate intervention of the government and the NYSC as an agency, we have actually stopped posting corps members to the very unsafe states.”
The move comes in the wake of several incidents where corps members were abducted in different parts of the country, sparking concerns about the sustainability of the NYSC program.
Minister Ibrahim highlighted that this decision aligns with the government’s commitment to prioritizing the safety of these young individuals.
Addressing the collaborative effort needed for effective security measures, the minister explained, “When it comes to security matters, it is a multi-sectoral approach. So, it is not the NYSC alone and the ministry that is involved. We are working with security outlets to ensure corps members are safe.”
In addition to the geographical adjustments, the government is actively developing group transportation strategies to enhance the safe transit of corps members to and from their assigned camps and destinations.
Minister Ibrahim further revealed ongoing efforts to reform the NYSC scheme, aiming to adapt it to the current realities of the nation. Speaking on remuneration, she stated, “When it comes to remuneration, we are looking at the holistic funding of the NYSC. You are all aware that we have announced a reform of the NYSC scheme itself. We want the scheme to go beyond being a social programme of the government.”
Elaborating on the envisioned transformation, the minister outlined plans to turn the NYSC into a revenue-generating agency and enhance the skills of corps members, better preparing them for the competitive job market.
These reforms, she believes, will not only secure the safety of NYSC participants but also elevate the program’s impact as a valuable contributor to national development.
