Minister Calls for NYSC Reform, Proposes Skill-Based 2-Year Service

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 The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has proposed extending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme from one year to two years as part of efforts to improve youth employment and national development. The proposal was made during a courtesy visit by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, to the Ministry in Abuja.

According to a statement shared on the NYSC’s official Facebook page, the minister emphasized the need to expand the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme within the NYSC to provide corps members with more robust training for self-reliance and job creation. He believes that extending the service period would allow for deeper skills acquisition and greater contribution to national development, especially in underserved rural communities.

Dr. Alausa also recommended deploying more graduate teachers to rural areas to bridge the education manpower gap. He praised the NYSC for its digital mobilisation process and efforts in curbing certificate fraud among foreign-trained graduates, especially within West Africa.

He noted the importance of digitising the verification process for foreign-trained Nigerian graduates and expressed optimism about a stronger collaboration between the Ministry and the NYSC to enhance education and youth development across Nigeria.

NYSC DG Brigadier General Nafiu, in response, commended the Ministry’s reform initiatives and proposed the creation of a database to track Nigerian students studying abroad, which he said would help identify fake graduates and ensure better regulation.

Permanent Secretary Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan also reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for the NYSC and promised ongoing cooperation to improve education standards nationwide.

This proposed extension, while yet to be finalized, has sparked national debate and will likely require legislative approval before implementation. However, it signals the government’s intent to leverage the NYSC as a stronger tool for tackling unemployment and equipping Nigerian youths for the future.

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