Youth Minister Shoots Down Call for 2 Years NYSC Service

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has kicked against the call to double the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme from one to two years. Instead, he emphasized the need for a more productive and efficient one-year programme that equips corps members with the right skills and training.

Olawande made the comments on Monday following the NYSC’s 2025 Annual Management Conference in Abuja, when he spoke to the press. He stressed that they should pay attention to the quality of the service year, and not its duration.

“We do not need a two-year NYSC but a meaningful one-year service,” he further stated.

The minister proposed implementing a National Internship Scheme to prepare corps members for work or business once they have served for a year. This, to his opinion, would make the service year worthwhile and productive, and not just something done by rote.

Olawande criticized the attitude towards NYSC, highlighting that the majority of corps members go through the scheme merely to fulfill the requirement, without learning anything useful.

“What the majority of corps members know about NYSC is that it’s all about serving the fatherland. So, they spend the one year without adding value to themselves or inspiring others,” he said.

The minister emphasized the necessity for change, stating that the system is not yielding results that are necessary. “If things stay the way they are, we will not be having new, impactful results. Reform is the way to go. I’m not saying NYSC is doing nothing right, but we can do better,” he further added.

In his address at the conference, NYSC Director General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu noted that the Management Conference was held on a yearly basis to review the previous year’s activities and map out strategies for better performance. He said the theme for this year’s conference, “Transforming the NYSC Scheme to Meet the Yearnings of Contemporary Nigerian Graduates and Society,” was motivated by growing calls for reform by graduates and society at large.

Nafiu indicated that the NYSC was determined to position itself to suit national development and what was required of today’s Nigerian youths. The conference was aimed at identifying where it needed to change and come up with ways to enhance the effectiveness of the NYSC scheme.