The head of Nigeria’s mandatory national youth service scheme has called for the urgent approval of a dedicated trust fund to provide start-up capital for university graduates, warning that idleness is driving youth restiveness across the country. Speaking at a media forum in the capital, Abuja, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, stated that the proposed fund would drastically expand the scheme’s skill acquisition and entrepreneurship initiatives. The appeal comes as the NYSC marks its 53rd anniversary. Established in 1973 by the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon, the scheme was originally designed to heal ethnic divisions and promote national reconciliation following the devastating Nigerian Civil War by mandating that graduates under the age of 30 spend a year serving in states outside their own.
‘Invaluable Impact’ on National Growth
The milestone has drawn widespread praise from key public figures, including Ali Muhammad Ali, the Director-General of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Hosting the military chief at the agency’s headquarters, Mr. Ali lauded the scheme’s over half-century contribution to rural development, free healthcare, and job creation, praising the leadership style of General Nafiu. The media chief advocated for “developmental journalism” that highlights constructive national progress, pledging that NAN would continue to elevate stories that reflect Nigeria’s development to a global audience.
In response, General Nafiu praised the media agency for its objective coverage, stating that the partnership between the two bodies would “grow from strength to strength” as the NYSC modernises.
Beyond National Unity: Driving the Informal Economy
While General Nafiu praised the historical success of the scheme in fostering unity through cultural integration and inter-tribal marriages, he emphasized that the contemporary challenges facing Nigerian youths have shifted toward economic survival. Nigeria is currently battling high youth unemployment and a severe cost-of-living crisis, forcing the scheme to re-strategize.”The trust fund would assist the NYSC in expanding its venture services and increasing job creation by empowering members with start-up capital to establish their businesses,” General Nafiu said. He added that engaging young graduates in productive ventures would actively reduce social vices and idleness. The scheme introduced its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme in 2012 to strengthen the country’s informal economy. According to the director-general, the initiative has matured significantly, with over 500,000 ex-participants now having registered their businesses with the government’s Corporate Affairs Commission.
Decentralized Logistics and Funding Strain
Managing the massive program remains a significant logistical hurdle. The NYSC plans to mobilize over 400,000 graduates this year alone, placing a heavy strain on infrastructure. General Nafiu reminded regional authorities of their legal obligations under the NYSC Act, noting that while the federal government coordinates the scheme, individual state governments are legally mandated to build and maintain the physical orientation camps. Local government councils are similarly required to provide accommodation lodges for the young graduates. He confirmed that several regions, including Lagos, Osun, and Enugu states, are currently constructing or upgrading their facilities to cope with the influx of participants.
Security Fears and Digital Overhauls
In recent years, Nigeria’s widespread security challenges—including kidnappings for ransom and regional insurgencies—have raised major concerns for parents whose children are deployed to distant parts of the country. Addressing these persistent anxieties, the military chief advised participants to adhere strictly to the scheme’s security protocols and travel advisories, explicitly warning them to avoid traveling at night or taking risky, uncoordinated journeys. He noted that the NYSC has strengthened its partnership with national security agencies to ensure safer transit corridors.The scheme is also undergoing a digital transformation to modernize operations. Measures include deploying electronic identity cards, digitizing camp registrations, and strict adherence to a new federal directive mandating that all graduates register with the Nigeria Education Repository Databank (NERD) to streamline national records and eliminate credential fraud.
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