The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has put forward a proposal to extend the duration of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from one year to two years.
Dr. Alausa made this suggestion during a visit by the new Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, who called on him at his office in Abuja on Friday. The Minister commended the NYSC for its strides in digitizing processes, which have helped curb the issue of certificate racketeering, particularly among foreign-trained graduates within the West African region.
In his remarks, the Minister emphasized the need for an extension of the service year, stating that the additional time would allow for an expanded curriculum within the NYSC’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (SAED). He argued that this expansion would help Corps members become more effective job creators, thereby contributing more significantly to the country’s economic needs.
Dr. Alausa expressed confidence in the NYSC’s positive impact, noting that the initiative had been instrumental in developing the workforce. “Let NYSC give people more opportunity to become job creators that will meet the needs of the country,” he urged.
Additionally, the Minister addressed the ongoing concerns surrounding the exemption of part-time OND graduates with full-time HND degrees from national service. He reiterated that these individuals should be considered for inclusion in the scheme, as the issue remains unresolved.
Brigadier General Nafiu, in his response, praised the Minister for his innovative leadership and the significant progress achieved under his tenure in the education sector. He also proposed the establishment of a comprehensive database to track Nigerian youths pursuing degree programs abroad, a measure that could help improve the coordination of educational efforts and international collaboration.
The discussions highlighted both the achievements and challenges of the NYSC, with a focus on how the scheme can be further enhanced to serve the needs of the nation.
