The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the 2025 Batch A Premobilization Workshop, said that the federal government is currently working on reforms for the NYSC scheme to enhance the overall experience at the NYSC.
He made this statement in reaction to several calls by Nigerians rallying for the scrapping of the scheme. He mentioned that there was no better time for reformation and rebranding than now so that corporate members could experience something different.
There’s no better time to have this scheme reformed and strengthened than now. We understand that we’re dealing with the GenZ generation and we can’t do business as we used to do it. That’s the essence of the reforms we’re craving for in our mobilisation, in our orientation and in the entire gamoth of the NYSC experience.
We’re trying to repackage the scheme such that contemporary Corp members come and we give them a new scheme entirely. A rebranded scheme, he stated.
Nafiu affirmed that the arrears of Corp members who just passed out would be offset as soon as the government releases funds.
The government is quite conscious of its promise and within the budgetary provisions, I believe the government is going to handle that and once funds are released to us to offset the arrears, definitely and surely, we will pay off that.
Many Nigerians have expressed dissatisfaction with the NYSC, citing inadequate safety and security concerns allowance. Corp members receive a meagre allowance, which is insufficient to cover their living expenses. The scheme has also faced criticism over the safety and security of corp members, particularly in areas with high rates of kidnapping and violence.
The NYSC allowance was increased from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000. A recent report by West Africa Weekly addressed whether the increase is enough in Nigeria’s expensive cost of living, which has driven many to perceive everyday necessities of life as luxury.
The success of the reforms will depend on effective implementation and ongoing evaluation to ensure they meet their intended objectives. While the reforms are a step in the right direction, some challenges remain. The high cost of living in Nigeria and the need for sustainable solutions to address the concerns of corp members are pressing issues. The government must work to address these challenges and ensure that the NYSC is a valuable and meaningful experience for young Nigerians.
