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…say the practice undermines National Service Scheme, waste public funds

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has taken steps to address the growing rejection of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members by government institutions across the country, warning that the trend is undermining the objectives of the national service scheme and depriving young graduates of valuable work experience.

The move followed the consideration of a motion sponsored by Rep. Rodney Ambaiowei, who raised concerns over what he described as the increasing refusal of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to accept corps members posted to them for their mandatory one-year national service.

Presenting the motion, Ambaiowei reminded lawmakers that the NYSC was established as a critical component of Nigeria’s post-civil war reconciliation and nation-building efforts.

He stated: “The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was established as part of the post-civil war reconstruction of Nigeria with the specific aims of fostering national unity, reconciliation, and reconstruction by engaging young graduates in community service and promoting a sense of shared national identity and purpose. The scheme came into effect vide Decree No. 24 of 1973 (now the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84, LFN, 2004) promulgated by the General Yakubu Gowon administration.”

The lawmaker noted that for more than five decades, the scheme has played a significant role in promoting national integration by deploying graduates to states outside their regions of origin and residence.

Ambaiowei further highlighted the positive contributions of the programme over the years, including community development, business growth and social integration.

According to him, “Since its inception, the scheme has fostered national cohesion and healing, as a mandatory national scheme, graduates of universities and polytechnics from different regions of the country converge to render compulsory one-year national service in locations other than their states of origin and residence.

“The scheme has recorded positive impacts in credible service delivery, marriages contracted during service year, successful business development in places of primary assignment, and integration of corps members in their host communities, among other benefits”.

Despite these achievements, the lawmaker expressed concern that many government establishments now routinely reject corps members posted to them, leaving graduates without meaningful opportunities to contribute or gain practical experience.

Ambaiowei also cautioned that the practice amounts to a waste of public resources, as the government continues to pay allowances to corps members who are left without structured engagements.

“The scheme, which is designed to provide willing workforce to the public and private sectors, is currently facing setbacks as Government establishments are rejecting NYSC corps members, denying them service opportunities and experience. This has left many graduates vulnerable to exploitation by private firms and crime, while wasting the scheme’s intended workforce for public and private sectors.

“The rejecting corps members wastes public funds since the government still pays stipends for no economic contribution, without a clear engagement plan, the NYSC scheme loses value and discourages future graduates from participating.

“Proper deployment and utilisation of this young Corps Members’ energy in government offices during service year will enhance valuable experience, prepare them for rewarding careers in the public and private sectors, and boost national productivity and economic growth”, he added.

Following deliberations, the House resolved to urge all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, including the National Assembly, to stop rejecting corps members and instead create work structures that accommodate and effectively engage them.

Lawmakers also mandated the House Committee on Youth Development to liaise with the Director-General of the NYSC with a view to developing a comprehensive framework for deploying and harnessing the potential of corps members throughout their service year.

The resolution is expected to strengthen the implementation of the NYSC scheme and ensure that young graduates are given meaningful opportunities to contribute to national development while acquiring practical workplace experience.