The Federal Government on Monday disclosed plans to undertake a comprehensive review, restructuring, and reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme to meet the demands of the future.
Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Ibrahim, made this known at the opening ceremony of the maiden meeting of NYSC Management with Heads of Corps Producing Institutions in Nigeria, held at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.
Ibrahim, who disclosed that part of the reforms would centre on reviewing participants with an entrepreneurial mindset and making skills development a core of the programme, also revealed that over 5000 corps members would have their entrepreneurial ventures funded with over N10 million.
According to him, the current administration has envisioned a future where the NYSC programmes will be not only self-sustaining but also revenue-generating within the next five years.
He said, “Permit me to inform us very briefly of what is to come regarding NYSC reforms. I’m pleased to announce that I will be inaugurating a team to undertake the review, restructuring, and reforms of the NYSC.
“The first of these reforms will be centred on reviewing participants with an entrepreneurial mindset and making skills development a core of the programme.
“The NYSC already does that, but the objective is to work with them to strengthen the mandate that they already have, making it more efficient, effective, and beneficial.
“So we envision a future where the NYSC programmes are not only self-sustaining but also revenue-generating within the next five years. To achieve this, we will institutionalise the NYSC ventures as an investment and asset management outfit.
“Furthermore, as part of the Nigeria youth investment fund programme for 2024, I’m also pleased to announce that at least 5000 corps members will have their entrepreneurial ventures funded with up to N10 million passing out,” he said.
The Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Yushau’ Ahmed, said in his remarks, that the meeting was aimed at enhancing the mobilisation process of prospective corps members.
He averred that the meeting, which is a follow-up to a previous one with heads of corps-producing institutions in West African countries, aims to evolve strategies for eliminating identified flaws and ensuring a more seamless mobilisation process.
“We have identified some obstacles, including the delegation of roles to subordinates, and we believe that the direct involvement of chief executives of institutions will promote a deeper appreciation of issues and ensure desired results,” Ahmed added.
He also reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to the security and general welfare of corps members, appealing to corps-producing institutions, parents, and the general public to complement efforts in sensitising young graduates on call-up for national service.
“We urge you to use all available avenues to complement our efforts in sensitising young graduates on call-up for national service to avoid travelling at night when reporting to their states of deployment,” Ahmed said.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, in his address, welcomed the participants to Abuja and commended the NYSC management for choosing the city as the venue for the meeting.
Wike, who was represented by the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCT Administration,
Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi said, “NYSC has consistently symbolised our collective commitment to national development, unity, and integration.
“We must adopt innovative strategies to surmount challenges and enhance best practices for the engagement of our young graduates in national development efforts,” Wike said.
He commended the NYSC’s efforts to enhance its operations through technology-driven approaches and urged the participants to actively contribute to the meeting’s success.
