The Federal Government has announced the removal of all restrictions on the posting of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, allowing participants to serve in private sector organizations such as banks and oil and gas companies.
The new directive will take effect with the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course, according to a memo dated November 18, 2024, from the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande.
In the memo, Olawande explained that the policy shift aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader strategy to combat youth unemployment by enhancing job readiness through practical experience.
“This directive is a reflection of President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that government agencies align with his vision for empowering Nigerian youth,” the minister stated.
The previous policy, introduced during the tenure of former Minister of Youth Development Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, limited NYSC postings to four sectors: education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure. It was designed to curb the exploitation of corps members in private organizations while boosting public sector capacity.
However, the Federal Government now argues that the policy inadvertently hindered corps members from gaining relevant skills in their fields of study.
“There is an urgent need to review this policy to expand the opportunities for corps members to serve in places relevant to their areas of study,” Olawande noted.
The new directive prioritizes aligning postings with participants’ educational backgrounds, focusing initially on high-demand locations like Abuja and Lagos.
The memo reads in part: “Without prejudice to the need to constantly review per prevailing realities, I now direct as follows: Lifting of all restrictions on postings; posting of corps members to, as much as practicable, be in line with their course of study; and posting of corps members to select banks and other private sector organizations, including those operating in oil and gas, to commence with Abuja and Lagos.”
Details of the Policy Shift
By eliminating the restrictions, the government aims to create pathways for NYSC members to gain industry-relevant experience and improve their employability. The memo underscores the importance of bridging the skills gap in critical sectors through collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The minister’s directive states: “The now-revoked policy has greatly hampered experience gathering that would effectively prepare corps members for the job market.” It also specifies that the new guidelines will apply to all matters concerning the posting and distribution of corps members to their Places of Primary Assignment starting with the next orientation course.
The initiative is expected to address the unemployment crisis by equipping corps members with practical skills in areas such as finance, energy, and technology. Observers believe the move signals a major policy shift that could transform the NYSC into a more impactful program.
Corps members and stakeholders have expressed optimism about the development. “This is a step in the right direction for both the NYSC and the Nigerian youth,” said an NYSC official who welcomed the directive.
