The recent proposed reforms for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has attracted divergent views from prospective corps members.
the Federal Government is proposing the extension of the orientation course for corps members from the original three weeks to six weeks.
According to the Federal Government, the reform is aimed at boosting skills acquisition, improving career development and repositioning the scheme to better meet national development needs.
The NYSC, which was established by the former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, rtd, in 1973, has the primary aim of promoting national unity and integration after the Nigerian Civil War.
The core objective of the scheme was to address Nigeria’s greatest challenge at the time; national disunity and the secessionist tendencies that had emerged in certain parts of the country.
A prospective corps member, Charles Owoicho, said reforming the NYSC is a timely step towards relevance in a changing Nigeria.
Owoicho said the current Nigeria grapples with harsh economic realities, rising unemployment, an educational system that no longer adequately meets the demands of the modern world, and widespread digital and technological illiteracy that continues to limit the relevance, competitiveness, and productivity of many young graduates in this era of digital transformation.
According to him, judging from the evolving realities, the reform of the NYSC is not only necessary but also long overdue.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves commendation for recognizing the need to reposition the scheme to meet contemporary national demands.
“As a prospective corps member, I believe the idea behind reforming the scheme is both timely and commendable.
“Some aspects of the proposed reforms, such as digital skills acquisition for corps members, the extension of the orientation and training period, and the deployment of corps members to institutions and organizations based on their professional qualifications, are particularly laudable.
“At present, a significant number of corps members are posted to schools regardless of whether they studied Education or possess teaching qualifications.
“This has deprived many graduates of the opportunity to gain practical work experience in their respective fields or professions.
“Consequently, many complete the NYSC programme without acquiring relevant industry experience, making them less competitive and, in many cases, unemployable within their chosen professions. If properly implemented, the proposed reforms will go a long way in addressing this long-standing anomaly,” he said.
On her part, another prospective corps member, Blessing Nduka, said there are aspects of the proposed reforms that she is not entirely pleased with.
Nduka said the plan to replace the existing NYSC uniform with a domestic attire is unnecessary, stating that the current NYSC uniform has become a symbol of the scheme’s identity and is not the problem confronting the programme.
According to her, the challenge lies not in the uniform but in the ideas, policies, and implementation strategies that drive the scheme.
“I respectfully urge President Tinubu to suspend the proposed change of the uniform and instead channel resources towards reforms that will have a more meaningful impact on corps members and the nation.
“I believe the reform should go beyond training and deployment by incorporating a comprehensive post-service empowerment programme.
