The Federal Government has lifted restrictions on the deployment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to private sector organizations, a significant policy shift that will allow corps members to serve in industries such as banking and oil and gas. The decision, which takes effect with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ orientation exercise, was announced in a memo issued by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on November 18, 2024.
This policy reversal ends a longstanding restriction implemented during the tenure of former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, which confined corps members to public sector roles in education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
The initial restriction aimed to discourage the exploitation of corps members as cheap labor in private establishments and to bolster capacity building in critical public sectors.
Minister Olawande explained that the new directive aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader vision of tackling youth unemployment and ensuring young Nigerians gain practical experience in fields that match their academic qualifications. According to the memo, this decision is part of a strategy to better prepare corps members for the labor market and help them acquire the skills necessary to thrive in the economy.
“There is an urgent need to expand the opportunities available to corps members to serve in sectors that align with their course of study,” Olawande stated. He emphasized that the previous policy had hindered corps members from gaining valuable work experience in industries that would prepare them for the workforce.
The memo also notes that the new posting arrangement will initially be implemented in Lagos and Abuja, where a significant number of private sector organizations, including financial institutions and multinational companies, are headquartered. It outlines that the policy will allow corps members to be posted to banks, oil and gas companies, and other private sector firms, with the goal of fostering professional development that is in line with their academic background.
The move has been seen as a response to the growing demand for more practical exposure and the need for Nigerian youth to acquire work-ready skills. Many have argued that while the NYSC program has contributed to national unity and community service, it has not always provided the best opportunities for young graduates to gain experience that is relevant to their fields of study.
The new policy aims to address this gap by giving corps members the chance to work in industries that are crucial to Nigeria’s economy.
The shift in policy is also seen as part of the government’s larger strategy to combat the rising levels of youth unemployment in the country. By enabling young people to gain hands-on experience in various sectors, the administration hopes to equip them with the skills that will enhance their employability.
However, the new policy has raised questions about the implications for public sector capacity building, a central focus of the previous government’s approach to the NYSC program. Critics have pointed out that private sector placements could potentially reduce the pool of corps members available to support essential public sector functions.
Despite these concerns, the policy change has been met with optimism by many who see it as a step toward modernizing the NYSC and ensuring that the program remains relevant to the current needs of the labor market. Corporations, particularly in the financial and energy sectors, are expected to welcome the influx of young talent from the NYSC program, which has traditionally provided a pool of educated and motivated individuals for entry-level positions.
While the new posting arrangements are set to begin with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ orientation course, it remains to be seen how the policy will be implemented on the ground, especially in terms of the specific types of private sector roles that will be made available to corps members.
Nonetheless, the move is expected to bring about a significant transformation in the way the NYSC program operates, potentially setting a precedent for future reforms aimed at improving the employability of Nigeria’s youth.
