By Dr. Thomas Uzah

It is for me a rare honour and privilege to be invited to be part of the Roundtable Discussion organized by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency in conjunction with NIGERIA FIRST.

These institutions are known to have built a tradition of credibility that stands them out among other civil society organizations in Nigeria, especially in the aspect of mobilizing thoughts to generate debate and chart the course for understanding issues of national, regional and global importance.

That I am invited to speak on the topic: Appraising the Importance, Gains and Benefits of the NYSC Scheme:

Recommendation for its Continuity for the Next 50-Years is not just an acknowledgment of the controversy surrounding NYSC, but a response to the Bill that was introduced in the National Assembly by Hon. Abiante which sought to repeal Section 315(5a) of the 1999 Constitution and the National Youth Service Corps Act with the aim of scraping the scheme.

Contrary to this position, my paper supports continuity of NYSC program; and it is pre-occupied with making recommendations for building on the achievements of the present leadership of the Scheme by Brig. Gen. Ibbrahim Shuaibu as well as strengthening the program for the future.

Abraham Lincoln once says, if you want to predict the future, create it. That is our hope.

I wish to start this address by giving a brief history of NYSC and its objectives. The next section will deal the appraisal of the scheme.

This will be followed by the challenges facing NYSC; and subsequently, the analysis of the need for its continuity in the next 50 years.

NYSC PROGRAM AND ITS OBJECTIVES

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was set up by Decree No.24 of 1973 by the Yakubu Gowon administration which has been repealed and replaced by Decree 51 of 1993, as part of strategies to foster unity in the post-civil war era.

Its establishment was in line with the Gowon’s post-war principles of reconstruction, reconciliation, and rebuilding (3Rs).

Generally, NYSC was a strategy to respond to the post-independence challenges of underdevelopment, political instability, and indeed, acute shortage of manpower, among other factors.

All these were capped in the 2nd Development Plan aimed at establishing for Nigeria: (i) a united, strong and self-reliant nation; (ii) a great and dynamic economy; and (iii) a land of bright and full opportunities for all citizens.

The objectives of the NYSC as enumerated in Decree No.51 1993 are summed up as to inculcate in Nigerian youths the spirit of selfless service to the community; and to emphasize the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians, irrespective of cultural or social background. NYSC is a program set up by the government to involve Nigerian graduates in nation building and the development of the country.

In terms of its operations, although there is no military conscription in Nigeria, since the establishment of NYSC in 1973, Nigerian graduates, especially of universities and polytechnics have been required to take part in the scheme for one year (Otwin, 1990). 

This is known as national service year.  The succession chart of NYSC indicates that Ahmadu Ali was the first Director-General of the NYSC until 1975; and the incumbent Director-General is Shuaibu Ibrahim (www.nysc.gov.ng. Retrieved 21, August, 2021).

The scheme is designed in such a way that NYSC members are posted to states other than their state of origin. There is an “orientation” period of approximately three weeks spent in a military controlled “camp” away from family and friends.

The camps are situated across the 36 states of the federation, including FCT-Abuja. There is also a “passing out ceremony” at the end of the three weeks orientation camp after which members are posted to their Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).

They are expected to work as full-time staff at their PPA with exception of one working day devoted for the execution of community development service.

After eleven months at their PPA, member are allowed one month of vacation before their final passing out ceremony where they would be issued certificates upon completion (www.wikepedia.org, retrieved August 21, 2021).

To be eligible to participate in the compulsory one year service, a graduate must be below the age of 30 years upon graduation, or else he/she will be given a Certificate of Exemption, which is also equivalent to the NYSC Discharge Certificate.

A graduate who graduated before 30 years but skipped the service year, will still be eligible to serve even if he wants at the age of 60, since his certificate of graduation was dated before he clocked 30 years of age.

NYSC is compulsory in the sense that the graduates of the country can’t request for exemption by themselves, unless they are disabled, have served in the military or paramilitary for a period of more than one year or have exceeded the age of 30 years when they graduated (www.wikepedia.org, retrieved August 21, 2021).

BENEFITS, GAINS AND PROSPECT OF NYSC

An appraisal of NYSC program entails reflecting on the extent to which it has achieved its objectives.

Despite its laudable objectives, there are mixed opinions about the impact of NYSC scheme on the youth and Nigerian society in general. It must be noted that the primary purpose of NYSC is promote unity with the youths as primary agents or target.

In this regard, the program has been able to unite people from all over Nigeria through inter-tribal and religious marriages, friendships and other associations. In some cases, people become permanent settlers in places other than their places of origin through NYSC.

The program has provided an opportunity for Nigerian youths to explore the country’s diversities and helps in building bridges across ethno-religious differences.

Also, NYSC certificate has become a basic requirement for Nigerian graduates to gain employment, especially governmental establishments. Apart from the working experience, the certificate is an additional qualification that offers many graduates an entry point into the labour market.

In the course of the national service, many graduates especially the dedicated one end up securing employment in their places of primary assignment.

There are also some benefits and gains that comes with NYSC for the members particularly in terms of some privileges and respect. As an NYSC member, one can drive without a license.

Apart from getting favors from the general public, one is respected on account of his or her service to the nation. You also enjoy some privileges as well as exception from certain unnecessary harassments from the police and other law enforcement agencies.

Physically and mentally too, the NYSC makes people for stronger; and prepares them to adopt and cope with life challenges. The society needs more mentally and physically strong individuals for enhanced productivity.

Through social activities, NYSC has been able to produced great personalities in the areas of sport, music, and entertainment. Indeed, NYSC is a path for greatness for many youths in Nigeria.

Through community and empowerment programmes, NYSC has helped in the promotion of learning, tourism, healthcare and agricultural development. NYSC members have been trained in various skill areas such as agro-allied, food processing and preservation, culture and tourism, cosmetology, information and communication technology (ICT), power and energy, environmental management, beautification, construction and education.

This has contributed to enhancing the individual well-being as well socio-economic development of the society.

At the level of society, many communities have benefited from the NYSC scheme through services rendered by corps members, some of which may not have been provided by government or private intervention. Most institutions in the financial, industrial, petroleum, health, and educational sectors have greatly benefited from the NYSC through the services offered by the corps members.

As part of their contributions to the society, NYSC members have carried out a lot of programmes such as building of bridges, market stalls, bus stops and sensitization campaigns on the issues of health, education, gender equality and so on.

In most cases, NYSC members involved in agriculture activities and in most cases are used as extension workers.

As part of their national assignment, NYSC members are usually involved in elections as ad-hoc staff. One major benefit of NYSC is in the area of education. Indeed, most of the NYSC members are usually posted to schools where they serve as teachers.

In sum, NYSC has for many years, contributed to bringing together, the uniting the multi-cultural and religious sections of the country.

Also, it has impacted positively on the youths as main agents and target of the programme as well as the general socio-economic and political development of the country in various ways that may not be captured here.

Despite the enormous benefits and gains derived from NYSC, the organization has been confronted with some challenges which limit its full potentials to impact on the youths and society are large.

Meanwhile, a discussion of these challenges is what we intend to do next.

CHALLENGES FACING NYSC SCHEME

The challenges facing NYSC are to a large extent, the general problems of Nigeria.

These challenges are institutional, political, economic and environmental in nature. They bothered on the operations of the NYSC, its officials and members, as well as the general socio-economic and political environment in Nigeria.

Like many government establishments, the problem of inadequate funding has been a major challenge of NYSC.

The scheme is not properly funded to deliver on its mandate. The need infrastructure and general welfare of both officials and members are not well taken care of; and it has greatly affect their motivation and productivity.

There is problem both official and residential accommodation and conducive working environment for the officials and corps members. Most NYSC orientation camps lack basic facilities such as water, functional sewage system, electricity, and so on.

The living conditions in most of these camps, are not any different from refugee camp.
Both corps members and NYSC officials are not well paid especially when compared to public servants in Nigeria.

Although, the current DG of NYSC has been commended for his commitment to the welfare of corps member especially prompt payment and increase of their allowance from N19.500 to N30,000, the remuneration is grossly inadequate considering the level of inflation in the country.
Another challenge confronting NYSC especially in recent times, is the issue of insecurity occassioned by the activities of Boko Haram, herdsmen attacks, banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping and abduction.

Nigeria has become a theatre of insecurity with increasing tempo and magnitude on the daily basis; and this has claimed the lives of a good number of NYSC members.

Insecurity is one of the major issues that has led to the clamour for the scraping of the scheme. The program is gradually losing its values and reputation as most places in Nigeria have become “no go areas”, for corps members.

Also, there is no good insurance scheme for the youths during and after national service. No guarantees regarding jobs as the number of youth unemployment continues to increase.

NYSC members are also confronted with the challenge of indiscriminate rejection of corps members and inability of firms or government institutions to retain them after service year due to failing economy.

This scenario creates a nightmare for both the youths and institutions of learning. Many NYSC members are found roaming on the streets for weeks in search for place of primary assignment.

The situation has been compounded by the fact that, Nigerian tertiary institutions continue to churn-out graduates without recourse to the ability of NYSC to properly organize orientation for them.

This has left the scheme with backlog of graduates awaiting national service for months and sometimes years, a situation that depreciates the quality and motivation of Nigerian youths.

In another dimension, more emphasis is placed on acquiring the NYSC certificate by the youth than the spirit of national service. This problem is largely because of the character of the Nigerian state where certificate has become a meal ticket instead of the actual knowledge and skills.

More so, most youth lack the sense of commitment and patriotism due to the failure of the government to live up to its obligations.

More so, NYSC is not excluded from the endemic and systemic corruption that characterized the country.

Fraud, eembezzlement, nepotism, and favouritism have penetrated deeply into the fabrics of the scheme.

On July 27, 2010, the Anti-Fraud Unit of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) arrested 69 suspected fake NYSC members in an illegal orientation camp located in Angwan Lambu, Keffi, and Nasarawa State. It is a common trend that prospective members usually pay bribe to influence their posting.

Though the above enumerated factors confronting NYSC are not exhaustive, they have helped to identify some of the critical problems. Generally, the problem of NYSC is attributed to government failure and the general systemic problem of Nigeria. It shows that there is much that still needs to be done in achieving the laudable objectives of NYSC. This calls for the imperative to address the problems and reposition NYSC in line with contemporary and future challenges.

THE NEED FOR CONTINUITY OF NYSC SCHEME IN THE NEXT 50 YEARS

Though the Bill sponsored by Hon. Abiante in the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution with the intention of scraping the NYSC scheme has suffered setback as the House of Representatives refused to support it, this particular act have elicited a lot of attention, discussion and debates for or against continuity of NYSC.

According to the synopsis of the Bill, insecurity, exploitation by place of primary assignment and poor state of orientation camps are cited as reasons for the scraping of the scheme (The Guardian, June 10, 2021).

Indeed, the scheme has come under heavy criticisms of late because of the deteriorating security situation in the country.

There have been reports of the neglect of a corps member affected by the Suleja bomb blast of 2011; and armed robbers attacked of 17 corps members, killing one along Abuja-Kaduna road, among several other incidents.
Despite the criticisms and challenges, there is need for the continuity of the program.

NYSC is not part of the insecurity in Nigeria and scrapping NYSC will not solve the problem but instead compounds it. A good number of the youths will become idle after graduation and become agents of insecurity.

NYSC came as a strategy to foster unity and the country is more divided now than the post-civil war era. Ethnic and regional agitations for succession have continued.

The cases of Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu are most recent. The country need the scheme, now more than ever. The absence of any alternative, the country need NYSC as a tool for building sense of patriotism and nationalism among the people.

The scheme is designed in such a way that corps members are posted to states other than their state of origin where they are expected to mix with people from different ethnic groups, social and family backgrounds, and learn the culture of the indigenes in the location they are posted to.

Posting to state other than their own brings about unity in the country and help the youths to appreciate other ethnic groups. Apart from promoting unity through intermarriages and other means, the NYSC program will continue to provide a platform for the youth to serve their country and learn its socio-cultural values.

Lack of employment opportunities call for the sustenance of the scheme as many youths could not have the opportunity to work and acquire skills if not for the program. More so, the allowance paid to corps members can go a long way to help them settle some financial challenges and alleviate their poverty conditions. The money paid to corps members could also be used to start business. That is, empowerment.

Leadership training is another key aspect of the program. Scraping it would compounds leadership problem in the country.

Apart from the NYSC, most youth could not have the opportunity of occupying leadership positions or acquiring the necessary leadership skills that will prepare them for future challenges. Since the youths are noted to be leaders of tomorrow, there is need to continue with the program. Leadership in a modem society requires a certain degree of preparation and orientation before the assumption of that role.

It was the need to look beyond the immediate present and to think of the future leadership of the country that necessitated the mobilisation of certain categories of our youths through the National Youth Service Corps Scheme. This was done with a view to giving them the proper guidance and orientation relevant to the needs of the country.

NYSC is also a source of motivation for many youths to be graduates. Most youths are encouraged to be graduate because of the desire to partake in the NYSC scheme. This to some extent, promote education. More so, the program is designed to help Nigerian youths find their place in life.

Above, many countries have national services which are similar NYSC; and it is not peculiar to Nigeria. Examples include Canada’s Katimavik, New Zealand’s Conservation Corps, the United Kingdom’s Community Service Volunteers, the United States’ Conservation Corps, the Gambia’s National Youth Service Scheme and the National Youth Service (Zimbabwe) among others (www. wikipedia.org; retrieved on 21st August, 2021).

CONCLUSION

Although, the NYSC scheme seems to be losing its value and reputation, especially in recent time on account of the security threats and the general socio-economic and political problems that confront Nigeria, scrapping the program will create more problems.

The benefits, gains and importance of the NYSC program for the youths and the society far outweighed the challenges.

The present socio-economic and political atmosphere in Nigeria is not too dissimilar from the post-civil war era, if not worse; and thus, the need to continue with the program.

The NYSC scheme needs to be strengthened and repositioned to respond to the emerging global and national challenges of unemployment, poverty and insecurity. Argument in favour of the continuity of NYSC program also centres on the need to mobile the youths to contribute to the economic and political development of the country. In his address on the 48th anniversary of NYSC, Gen, Gowon states that the scheme is one of the best things that has happened to Nigeria, adding that it is exposing youths to life-changing opportunities and has contributed immensely to the development of the country.

As the most surviving legacies of our hero’s past, NYSC can still survive for the next 50 years with proper funding and support from both public and private sectors. Whether this position is true or false, the need for its continuity depends on how it can continue to impact on the youths and society in general.

Going forward, there should be in place, mechanisms to ensure regular research, and diligent implementation of the programmes of NYSC; ensure security of corps members; and adequate funding. This paper also supports advocacy for the establishment of the National Youth Service Trust Fund to cater for the financial empowerment of corps members as they pass out from service. The fund would help them to establish their vocational businesses with the skills they acquire from the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme in the course of service.

The future of humanity and of our planet lies in our hands. It lies also in the hands of today’s younger generation who will pass the torch to future generations. We have mapped the road to sustainable development; it will be for all of us to ensure that the journey is successful and its gains irreversible (United Nations, General Assembly, 2015, p.53).

Thank you all.

References

Ademowo, Y (2007) “NYSC: Exploring the diversity in the unity of Nigeria”; www.nigerian-newspaper.com/national

Otwin, M. (1990) “Implementing deployment policies in the national youth service corps of Nigeria”, in Comparative political studies; London: SAGE Publishers.
Premium Times, May 24, (2021).

Seyi, A. (2009) “The national youth service program”, www.healnigeria.blogspot.com

The Guardian, June 10, 2021.
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2015), Population Facts: Youth population trends and sustainable development”, Population Division. New York.
www.nysc.gov.ng/history, retrieved on 21st August, 2021.
www.thisdayonline.com/archive (2010)

www.wkipedia.org, Retrieved on 21st August, 2021.

This paper was presented by Dr. Thomas Uzah as the Guest Speaker at One-Day Roundtable Discussion organised by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency in collaboration with Nigeria First held in Abuja on Thursday, 26, 2021.

Dr. Uzah is the Head of Department, Mass Communication, Kwararafa University, Wukari.

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