In a bold move aimed at tackling youth unemployment and strengthening skills development, the Federal Government has proposed extending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme from one year to two years. The proposal also includes expanding the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to provide corps members with hands-on skills essential for job creation and national progress.
This plan was revealed during a recent courtesy visit by the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, in Abuja. The visit set the stage for a series of discussions on youth development and the future of education in Nigeria.
During the meeting, Dr. Alausa commended the NYSC for its forward-thinking approach, particularly its digitalisation of the mobilization process. He highlighted how this shift has significantly reduced fraudulent practices, such as certificate racketeering, especially among foreign-trained graduates in West Africa.
“You’ve done well as an organization, but there’s always room for more,” said Dr. Alausa, encouraging the NYSC to increase opportunities for young Nigerians to become job creators. He also praised the NYSC for resolving longstanding issues with Ordinary National Diploma (OND) part-time graduates who were previously exempt from national service after obtaining full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications.
In line with this, the Minister emphasized ongoing efforts to digitize the verification process for Nigerian graduates from abroad, in a bid to prevent fraud and ensure that certificates meet national standards. He also advocated for the deployment of more graduate teachers to rural schools, aiming to close the manpower gap in these underserved areas.
Brigadier General Nafiu reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to aligning with the federal government’s policies and national needs. He emphasized the importance of reforming the scheme to better meet the challenges facing today’s youth.
He also proposed the creation of a comprehensive database of Nigerian students abroad. “This will ensure accurate records and help eliminate fake graduates,” he said, underscoring the need for a detailed national youth register to support the education sector.
Both parties reiterated their commitment to collaborating more closely to uplift Nigeria’s education standards and create opportunities for the country’s youth.
