For nearly five decades, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme has been a rite of passage for Nigerian graduates. Established in 1973 under the military government of General Yakubu Gowon, its primary aim was noble: to reconstruct, reconcile, and rebuild the nation after the devastating Civil War. It was designed to foster national unity by forcing a mix of cultures, to develop common ties among Nigerian youth, and to emphasize the spirit of self-reliance.
But that was 1973. This is now. The Nigeria of today is a different country, facing a vastly different set of challenges. The question a growing number of citizens, parents, and analysts are asking is not how to improve the scheme, but whether it should exist at all. The argument for discouraging and ultimately phasing out the NYSC is built on a compelling foundation of outdated principles, glaring security risks, economic burdens, and a fundamental failure to adapt to the realities of 21st-century Nigeria.
The Illusion of Unity and the Reality of Division
The core selling point of the NYSC has always been “national unity.” The idea is that by posting an Igbo graduate to Sokoto or a Yoruba graduate to Adamawa, they will break down ethnic barriers and build a more cohesive nation.
In practice, however, this often backfires. Instead of unity, corps members frequently face open hostility and are starkly reminded of their “outsider” status. They are often subjected to discrimination based on their ethnicity or religion. The scheme forcibly relocates young people to regions where they may not speak the local language and where cultural differences are not just academic but profound. In an era of heightened ethno-religious tensions, the NYSC doesn’t dissolve differences; it often highlights and exacerbates them. True unity cannot be mandated by a decree; it must be cultivated through good governance, justice, and economic opportunity—things the NYSC cannot provide.
A Clear and Present Danger: The Security Crisis
Perhaps the most urgent reason to discourage the NYSC is the most tragic one: the grave security risk it poses to Nigerian youth. The security landscape of Nigeria has deteriorated catastrophically since the scheme’s inception.
Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, banditry and kidnapping in the Northwest, and separatist agitations in the Southeast have made large swathes of the country unsafe. Yet, the NYSC bureaucracy continues to post young, vulnerable graduates to these “high-risk” states, often against their will and that of their families. The memory of the 2011 post-election violence, which led to the death of several corps members, is still fresh. News of corps members being kidnapped or caught in violent attacks is becoming frighteningly common.
Asking parents to send their children into known danger zones under a government mandate is not just unreasonable; it is unconscionable. No policy aimed at unity is worth the life of a single Nigerian youth.
The Crushing Economic Burden (On Everyone)
The NYSC is often touted as a source of cheap labor for government agencies and some private institutions. But this “benefit” comes at a significant cost.
For the corps members, the monthly “allowance” is notoriously meager and often delayed. It is insufficient for basic sustenance, let alone for someone starting their adult life. This forces many to rely on financial support from their already struggling families, effectively extending their financial dependency.
For the government, running the massive bureaucracy of the NYSC is a colossal financial drain. The costs associated with running orientation camps, providing transportation, and paying allowances for hundreds of thousands of youths annually run into billions of Naira. In a country with a crumbling healthcare system, failing public education, and rampant poverty, this is a misallocation of scarce resources on a grand scale. These funds could be redirected into tangible investments like entrepreneurship grants, vocational training centers, or educational subsidies that would yield a far greater return for national development.
Stagnation in a World of Innovation
The one-year service period is, for many, a year of professional stagnation. Instead of embarking on graduate studies, starting a business, or gaining relevant experience in their chosen field, graduates are often deployed to roles where their skills are underutilized or irrelevant.
A microbiology graduate might end up sorting files in a local government secretariat. An engineer might be tasked with writing meeting minutes. This waste of human potential and talent is a luxury a developing nation like Nigeria cannot afford. In a global economy that prizes innovation and speed, the NYSC acts as an artificial brake on the ambitions and productivity of Nigeria’s brightest young minds.
Corruption and Exploitation: A System Rife with Abuse
The system is notoriously plagued by corruption and exploitation. The “magic” of securing a favorable posting often comes with a price tag, benefiting corrupt officials. At their Places of Primary Assignment (PPA), many corps members are exploited as free or cheap labor without any meaningful mentorship or skill acquisition.
The frequent requirement for corps members to solicit and execute personal “Community Development Projects” is another flawed concept. It shifts the responsibility of community development from the government onto the shoulders of unemployed graduates, many of whom have to fund these projects themselves to meet the criteria for passing the service year.
A Better Path Forward
Discouraging the NYSC does not mean abandoning the ideals of national service or youth development. It means modernizing the approach. A more effective, voluntary system could replace it:
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A Voluntary National Service Scheme: Allow graduates to opt into programs focused on critical areas like education (e.g., Teach for Nigeria), healthcare, agriculture, and technology. This would attract passionate individuals and be more impactful.
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Entrepreneurship Grants & Funding: The billions spent on NYSC could fund seed grants for young entrepreneurs, driving innovation and job creation.
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Compulsory National Patriotism/Civic Education: This could be integrated into the final year of university studies, focusing on civic duties, the constitution, and national history without the need for a wasteful year of service.
Conclusion
The NYSC is a relic from a different time. Its original purpose has been eroded by the realities of modern Nigeria. It now represents a dangerous, costly, and ineffective program that risks lives, wastes resources, and stifles potential. National unity cannot be forced at gunpoint or through a dated decree. It is built by creating a nation where every citizen, regardless of origin, feels safe, valued, and presented with a fair opportunity to thrive.
It is time to have a honest, national conversation about retiring this outdated scheme and channeling our collective energy and resources into building a Nigeria that youth are eager to serve, not one they are forced to.
