Ola Akinwunmi
In a bid to reinvigorate Nigeria’s flagship youth service programme, the Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated a high level reform committee charged with overhauling the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The move—driven by mounting concerns over corps members’ safety, crumbling facilities and questions about the scheme’s modern relevance—also included the unveiling of two new service streams: a Teachers’ Corps and a Medical Corps.
Speaking at the Abuja ceremony, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande recalled that since its launch in 1973 the NYSC has been instrumental in fostering national unity and empowering graduates. Yet he warned that “issues of corps members’ safety, infrastructural challenges, and the broader question of the scheme’s relevance in an increasingly dynamic socio economic environment” demand urgent, visionary action. “These challenges also present opportunities,” he added, “to reposition the NYSC as a strategic tool for youth empowerment and nation building.
The newly constituted panel—comprising senior officials from relevant ministries, civil society leaders and private sector experts—will.
Review the NYSC Act, regulations and operational guidelines.
Conduct nationwide stakeholder consultations, including with corps members, host communities and employers.
Propose structural, policy and legal reforms to enhance safety, accountability and impact;
Design sustainable funding, monitoring and evaluation frameworks; Deliver a comprehensive report, with draft legislative amendments and implementation blueprints, within the specified timeframe.
Also on Tuesday, Education Minister Maruf Tunji Alausa announced the establishment of two specialised corps.
Teachers’ Corps: Targeting NCE certified graduates to serve in rural and underserved schools, this stream aims to close educational gaps and create clear pathways into government teaching roles.
Medical Corps: Designed for doctors, nurses and public health workers, this corps will be deployed to communities lacking adequate healthcare—specially to address maternal and child health challenges.
Alausa emphasised that both initiatives will not only meet critical service delivery needs but also enrich participants’ professional experience and bolster their prospects for public sector employment.
Hadiza Bala Usman, the President’s Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, emphasized the importance of integrating technical and vocational training into the revamped NYSC framework. “Aligning the scheme with skills development will empower young people to make meaningful, long term contributions to their communities and to the nation as a whole,” she said.
The reform committee will immediately embark on nationwide engagements, submitting interim updates in the coming months. Following delivery of its final report, the government will seek parliamentary and executive approval for the proposed legal amendments. Once green lit, the Teachers’ Corps and Medical Corps will roll out—marking a new chapter in the country’s century long experiment in youth service and national development.