Group cautions against transforming NYSC into a vocational training initiative

A plea has been made to President Bola Tinubu by the Coalition for National Unity and Youth Development, a youth advocacy group, to put on hold certain aspects of the proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps, as altering its traditional structure could potentially undermine a key institution for national unity, discipline, and emergency service in the country.

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The appeal, which was made in a statement issued on Sunday, was signed by the coalition's President, Abdulrahman Sani, and Secretary, Grace Nwafor, and acknowledged the Federal Government's efforts to modernise the scheme, while arguing that the reforms should not change the identity of an institution that has served the country for over five decades.

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The group has called on the President to establish an expanded committee, comprising former NYSC directors-general, security experts, university administrators, employers, labour unions, youth organisations, and civil society groups, to review the proposals before they are forwarded to the National Assembly.

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The coalition stated, "We respectfully appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow a historic national institution to be fundamentally altered without exhaustive consultation, as Mr President has consistently demonstrated that he listens to Nigerians, and we sincerely beg him to pause this process and allow broader stakeholder engagement before any irreversible decision is taken."

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The coalition maintained that the NYSC was established primarily as a nation-building institution and warned against reducing it to a vocational training programme, stating that it would be unfortunate if the NYSC loses its identity and becomes known merely as another government skills acquisition programme.

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Skills are important, but the coalition noted that they are not the reason the scheme was created, and its greatest achievement has been bringing young Nigerians together across ethnic, religious, and regional divides at a time when the country desperately needed healing.

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The group also defended the military component of the orientation camp, describing it as one of the scheme's strongest features, and cited countries such as Singapore, South Korea, Israel, and Switzerland, which continue to expose their young citizens to structured national or military service.

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Nigeria should strengthen this tradition rather than weaken it, the coalition said, highlighting the role of corps members during national emergencies, and noting that the scheme has repeatedly proven its strategic importance to the country.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of NYSC doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists stood on the frontlines in isolation centres and public hospitals across the country, and corps members have repeatedly proven that the NYSC is a national emergency asset, not just a youth programme.

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The coalition dismissed claims that the proposed reforms would introduce digital innovation into the scheme, noting that many of its administrative processes had already been automated, and stated that the bigger challenge is funding, and that giving the scheme adequate resources, modern facilities, and stronger welfare would enable it to continue delivering value to Nigeria.

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The controversy surrounding proposed changes to corps members' uniforms has underscored the need for broader consultations, the group said, and the debate should convince everyone that the proposals require deeper engagement before legislation begins.

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The coalition urged the National Assembly to subject any amendment to the NYSC Act to extensive public hearings, insisting that reforms affecting generations of Nigerian youths should reflect the views of those who have built, managed, and benefited from the scheme over the years.

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The Federal Executive Council had approved a comprehensive overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps, the first major reform of the scheme since its establishment in 1973, with key proposals including a change in the NYSC leadership structure, and the scheme set to be headed by a civilian instead of a serving military officer as Director-General.

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Other measures approved by the FEC include a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment, a redesigned six-week orientation programme, skills-based primary assignments, improved camp standards, and a new graduation ceremony to replace the traditional Passing Out Parade, all aimed at repositioning the NYSC into a skills-driven and productivity-focused institution.

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To give legal backing to the reforms, the FEC directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to commence amendments to the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations, as announced by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.