The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has advocated for the extension of the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme from one to two years, with the expansion of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Training programme content for corps members.
Weekend Hope spoke with some individuals on whether the extension will add any value to the scheme, or not.
Their views:

By Kayode Olabanji and Precious Owolabi

Mr Joshua Akinte

I do not support the idea of extending the NYSC scheme, as it is simply a waste of time and resources. I believe the current one year programme is sufficient to provide the range of skills that NYSC intends to offer its corps members.

   Extending the scheme will not benefit Nigerian graduates. Instead of merely lengthening the service period, NYSC should explore other avenues, such as offering grants worth millions of naira to help corps members establish themselves in the skills they have acquired during the programme.

    When one is passionate about a skill, six months should be ample time to learn and perfect it. Therefore, an extension of the service year is neither the solution nor can it ever be the answer to curbing unemployment in Nigeria.

Hon. Fakiya Foluso

Member representing Ekiti South
Senatorial District at the National Assembly

NYSC is an excellent programme that enables people to learn about different tribes, cultures and environments. Indeed, it can be regarded as our first job after graduation. It instils competence, teaches us how to interact appropriately with both elders and peers from diverse backgrounds, and prepares us for future challenges.

    I do not support an extension of the National Youth Service Corps. Instead, the Federal Government should empower corps members by retaining them in the vacant positions in public offices, especially as retirements occur daily.

I also commend the distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu, representing Ekiti South and serving as the Spokesperson for the 10th Assembly, for championing the NYSC TRUST FUND bill. This initiative would enable corps members to obtain loans to establish themselves after the programme, ensuring they have meaningful opportunities, rather than merely holding a certificate and struggling to secure employment. The funds proposed for financing the second year should, instead, be allocated to promoting our economy.

Tosin Adeniyi

Instead of extending the compulsory one-year National Youth Service Corps to two years, I would advise the government to adopt innovative measures that would make the existing service more impactful and worthwhile.

     A young graduate can achieve a great deal in one year, rather than being limited to teaching roles in underserved schools within low-income communities.

Many Nigerians now believe that the NYSC scheme has outlived its original purpose, particularly in the light of unfortunate events that have overshadowed its intended goals. For example, the tragic killing of some youth corps members in Kaduna State during the 2011 general elections, when they were deployed as ad-hoc electoral staff.

Extending the programme to two years could further expose young graduates to the risks of unemployment or underemployment, especially as many reputable industries in Nigeria impose employment age limits between 24 and 26 years and require one or two years of relevant work experience post-NYSC.

Furthermore, many Nigerian students have already spent between four and seven years in tertiary institutions, aside the additional delays caused by industrial actions from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Shittu Olusola Akinyele

I completely disagree with the proposal to extend NYSC service from one year to two years. What is the rationale behind this? What purpose does it serve, and what tangible outcomes does it deliver?

    Most corps members leave NYSC without any substantial skills, empowerment, or job opportunities. 

      Rather than focusing on extending the service period, the government should concentrate on creating jobs, improving the welfare of corps members, and enhancing the productivity of the programme. This proposal demonstrates a clear disconnect from the realities of Nigerian youths.

Olasanoye Folajimi

I n a sense, I believe the NYSC programme should be integrated into the Nigerian undergraduate curriculum to prepare students for the competitive challenges of adulthood, including job markets, leadership, and other responsibilities. Moreover, time waits for no one; the longer students remain in the undergraduate cycle, the more their progress in other areas of life may be affected.

    Ideally, one should graduate between the ages of 20 and 27, with males being ready to start a family by that time, and females between 22 and 25. We should consider how matters are managed under normal circumstances.

   When education and parenting overlap without proper structure, it often leads to a cumbersome lifestyle and contributes to the unhealthy societal values we observe today. If a two-year NYSC programme is to be considered, the government must critically develop and align it with national goals, transforming it into a scheme that truly shapes the future of our nation, rather than serving as a routine annual obligation.

    This issue demands deliberate attention and meaningful action rather than mere opinion.

Miss Morakinyo Oreoluwa

I  do not believe it is a good idea to extend the NYSC scheme to two years. It is a complete waste of time. The money intended to finance the second year would be better used to promote our economy. Consider this: if someone graduates at 28 and serves for an additional two years, how likely is it that they will secure a job at 30, when most private organisations in Nigeria prefer candidates under 28 with two to three years’ experience? I am convinced that the initial one-year programme is sufficient. If possible it should even be reduced to six months to enable Nigerian youths to face life’s realities and understand that there is life beyond NYSC/77k.