Abuja, Nigeria – As the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) marks its 52nd anniversary, stakeholders across the country are reflecting on the evolving role of the scheme amid growing calls for reform, improved security, and better welfare for corps members.
Established in 1973 to foster national unity and integration after the civil war, the NYSC remains a compulsory one-year program for Nigerian graduates under 30. However, over the decades, the scheme has become a subject of heated debate regarding its relevance, safety, and structural effectiveness in modern Nigeria.
Mounting Security Concerns
Security remains one of the most critical issues plaguing the scheme. In recent years, corps members have become increasingly vulnerable to kidnapping, violence, and banditry, particularly in conflict-prone states. Parents and civil society organizations have called on the federal government to either restructure the scheme or post participants strictly to safer areas.
“It’s no longer about national service when young Nigerians are deployed to places where their lives are at risk,” said Nkechi Ugorji, a parent whose son recently completed service in the North East. “The government must prioritize their safety or rethink the whole model.”
Economic and Welfare Challenges
The monthly allowance, or allawee, for corps members was increased to ₦33,000 in 2020, yet inflation and rising living costs have eroded its real value. Many corps members struggle to make ends meet, especially those posted to expensive urban centers without additional support.
“There should be a clear structure for accommodation and health care,” noted activist and public policy analyst Jide Ayeni. “We see corps members funding their own survival while performing national duties — it’s unfair and unsustainable.”
Questions of Relevance and Reform
Critics argue that the NYSC has strayed from its original vision. Instances of ghost postings, redundant work placements, and lack of meaningful skill development have raised concerns about the scheme’s practical impact.
However, proponents still believe the program can be a vehicle for national integration and youth empowerment — if properly reformed.
“NYSC can thrive with a focus on technical training, entrepreneurship, and civic responsibility,” said Dr. Halima Musa, a lecturer in Public Administration at the University of Abuja. “It needs to evolve beyond ceremonial drills and redundant clerical duties.”
The Road Ahead
With Nigeria’s unemployment rate surging and youth disenfranchisement growing, analysts say the NYSC could be a powerful tool for economic development if tied to structured employment, community service, or post-service job placements.
As the NYSC clocks 52, public discourse continues to center on whether the scheme should be retained in its current form, overhauled, or made optional.
The federal government has maintained that the NYSC will not be scrapped, but many Nigerians are calling for a national dialogue to redefine its future — one that truly serves the interest of the youth and the nation.
