Government Plans to Transform NYSC into a Profit-Making Entity, Ends Unsafe State Deployments

In a groundbreaking move, the Federal Government has announced its intention to overhaul the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), aiming to transform it into a profit-making entity. This strategic pivot seeks to enhance the scheme’s financial viability and ensure corps members’ safety and welfare amidst the challenges of dwindling resources and escalating security concerns in certain regions.

Transforming NYSC into a Revenue-Generating Agency

During a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, the Minister of Youth Development, unveiled these ambitious plans. Highlighting the government’s commitment to reforming the NYSC in line with current national realities, she emphasized the necessity of innovative approaches to sustain and improve the scheme’s operations.

The envisioned reforms are set to redefine the NYSC, shifting its focus toward becoming a revenue-generating agency. This transition is expected to significantly contribute to the nation’s economy while offering corps members robust support in their transition to the job market. “The reforms will equip corps members to be either gainfully employed or to become employers of labour through entrepreneurship, providing all the necessary support for their career paths,” explained the minister.

Enhancing corps members’ safety

A cornerstone of the reform agenda is prioritizing corps members’ safety. Acknowledging the rising insecurity in certain parts of the country, the government has made a decisive move to halt the deployment of NYSC participants to states classified as unsafe. This measure reflects a proactive stance in safeguarding the well-being of young Nigerians engaged in the mandatory national service.

The Minister of Youth, Jamila Ibrahim, underscored the significance of this policy shift in an interview, stating, “We have ceased posting corps members to very unsafe states as an immediate intervention to ensure their safety.” This decision is underpinned by a collaborative approach with various government agencies, aiming to bolster the security framework surrounding the NYSC scheme.

Furthermore, the government is exploring group transportation strategies to enhance the safety of corps members during their transit to and from camps and their respective places of assignment. This initiative is part of a broader effort to adapt the NYSC to contemporary challenges, including reforming the allowance structure to reflect the current economic landscape.

The Federal Government’s plan to reform the NYSC signifies a pivotal shift towards ensuring the scheme’s sustainability and relevance in today’s socio-economic context. By transforming the NYSC into a revenue-generating entity and implementing measures to guarantee the safety of corps members, the government is laying a solid foundation for a more resilient and impactful national service program. 

These reforms are poised to equip young Nigerians with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in the job market, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the NYSC.