The Federal Government has called for improved treatment and welfare of serving corps members across the country, particularly at their primary places of assignment.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, made the call at the opening ceremony of the 2025 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Annual Management Conference on Monday in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme “Transforming The NYSC Scheme to Meet the Yearnings of the Contemporary Nigerian Graduates and Society,” Olawande expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment meted out to some corps members at the locations where they render their mandatory one-year service to the nation.
The Minister also proposed the introduction of a National Internship Scheme aimed at providing young people with valuable work experience and enhancing their career prospects.
He disagreed with the recent proposal by the Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, to extend the service year of corps members to two years, stating that robust reform initiatives have already been put in place to refocus the NYSC scheme.
He emphasised the importance of transforming the NYSC to better meet the needs of today’s youth, while urging stakeholders to address issues such as inadequate treatment of corps members, poor living conditions, and low wages.
The Minister highlighted the need for sincerity and improved management of the NYSC system, including the provision of job opportunities and fair compensation for corps members. He also announced the upcoming launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy, a free programme open to all Nigerian youth.
“I’m sure that the only gift for the NYSC is transformation, the only area where we can make a difference and bring smiles to young people’s faces. I’ve tried as much as possible not to use the term ‘reform,’ but again, if that’s the way to go, no problem.
“The only way we can make things better, even better than applause and praise, is to reform the NYSC. I’m not saying that things aren’t being done properly, no, I’m not saying that things are not going well.
“I beg you, let’s create a national internship scheme. Let’s do more than just serve our father’s land, let’s create impact and make these young people viable in the job market. I plead with you all, let’s create a record of commendable achievements in mentorship, education, agriculture, and community development not in building statues of core members in the community and calling it community development.”
ALSO READ: Kalu seeks Uzbekistan’s partnership for Nigeria’s mining sector
Also speaking, the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja, said the conference serves as a platform for the NYSC top management and other key officers to critically review the scheme’s activities from the past year and develop new strategies for enhanced performance in the new year.
“As a responsive scheme led by one of the best management teams one can put together, it was decided that this year’s Annual Management Conference should look inward and self-assess what has changed around us that requires corresponding action from us.”
He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for the NYSC scheme and his passion for Nigerian youth, encouraging participants to give their best towards strengthening their capacity to lead a viable and productive scheme.
The special guest of honour, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was represented by the Mandate Secretary for Youth Development, Hon. Abdullahi Suleiman Ango.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE