Nigeria to extend NYSC scheme to 2 years to enhance youth employment, national progress  

*The Federal Government proposes the extension of the National Youth Service Corps scheme from a year to two years to include an expansion of its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development initiative to equip Corps members with practical skills for job creation and national development

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In a bid to deepen entrepreneurial skills acquisition and boost youth employment in the country, the Federal Government has proposed extension of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme from a year to two years.

The government disclosed the proposed extension includes an expansion of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to further equip Corps members with practical skills for job creation and national development.

Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, Director-General of NYSC, stated this during a courtesy visit to Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, Honourable Minister for Education, in Abuja, FCT.

Caroline Embu, Acting Director of Information and Public Relations at NYSC, also stated Brigadier-General Nafiu detailed the discussions and proposals raised during the meeting between the Ministry and the agency.

Dr. Alausa noted: “You have done so well as an organisation.

“Let NYSC give people more opportunity to become job creators that will meet the needs of the country.”

The Minister commended the NYSC for its proactive and digitalised approach to the mobilisation process.

He also affirmed the scheme had helped to address certificate racketeering involving some foreign-trained graduates within West African region.

On digitisation of verification of foreign-trained Nigerian graduates

Alausa equally lauded the NYSC Management for resolving the long-standing issue of Ordinary National Diploma (OND) part-time graduates who obtained full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications, but were previously exempted from National Service.

Alausa stated: “Efforts are on-going in the Ministry to digitise the verification of foreign-trained graduates of Nigerian origin.”

The Ministry of Education and the NYSC will continue to strengthen their collaboration to improve the education sector and support national development, stated the Minister.

He as well advocated the deployment of more graduate teachers to rural schools.

“This would fill the manpower gap in the schools,” Alausa said.

Speaking during the visit, Brigadier-General Nafiu reiterated the NYSC’s commitment to aligning with national policies and reforms.

He asserted: “NYSC is ready to comply with policy guidelines, as directed by the Federal Government.

“We are also trying to reform the Scheme to conform with the present national needs.”

The Director-General urged the Nigerian Government to create a comprehensive database of Nigerian youths studying abroad.

Nafiu also stated: “This would help the government and stakeholders in the education sector to have detailed records of Nigerian students abroad and eliminate fake graduates.”

The statement noted Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, restated the Ministry’s commitment to closer collaboration with the NYSC.

Enitan also echoed NYSC Chief’s sentiment: “We are ready to work with NYSC more effectively towards uplifting the standard of education in the country.”

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