In a significant move aimed at enhancing youth employment opportunities, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has officially lifted the long-standing ban on National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members being posted to private sector organizations.
This new directive, which will take effect from the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation, allows corps members to serve in various private companies, including banks, oil and gas firms, and other key industries.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, in a memo dated November 18, 2024, and made available to the public on November 19.
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Olawande stated that this policy change aligns with President Tinubu’s broader strategy to tackle Nigeria’s rising youth unemployment rate by offering corps members a chance to gain valuable experience in their fields of study.
Policy Change Boosts Youth Employment Prospects
According to the minister, the new policy is set to begin with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation, and the first phase will apply to Abuja and Lagos. The policy will allow corps members to be posted to various private sector organizations, including prominent banks and oil and gas companies.
In his memo, Olawande emphasized that this policy shift is a critical step toward addressing Nigeria’s youth unemployment crisis. He pointed out that the previous restriction, which limited corps members to the public sector, had hindered them from acquiring the necessary experience in industries directly related to their academic backgrounds.
The need to review this policy has become urgent, as it expands opportunities for corps members to serve in fields that align with their studies, thus preparing them better for the labor market,” said Olawande in his statement.
Reforming the NYSC System for Greater Impact
Olawande further clarified that the revamped policy would provide corps members with the experience needed to thrive in their chosen professions. He added that, starting with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation, postings would be made in a manner that aligns more closely with the corps members’ courses of study, ensuring that their service year becomes a valuable stepping stone for their careers.
The minister also acknowledged that the earlier policy, which restricted NYSC members to the public sector, had greatly hindered their development by limiting exposure to private sector environments where many of Nigeria’s top job opportunities exist.
Looking Ahead: A Key Change for Nigerian Youth
This move is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the professional growth of young Nigerians, offering them exposure to diverse industries and a competitive edge in the job market. The policy’s expansion to cities like Lagos and Abuja is only the beginning, with future plans to include other states across the country.
In a related development, the NYSC has also addressed the delay in the implementation of the recently approved increase in corps members’ monthly allowance. Although the Nigerian government had approved raising the stipend from N33,000 to N77,000 in line with the new national minimum wage, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed confirmed that funding challenges have delayed the disbursement of the increased allowances.
