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| Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa |
Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, has proposed lengthening the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program from one year to two years. The suggestion was made during a meeting in Abuja on Friday, when Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, the newly appointed NYSC Director-General, visited the minister’s office.
Dr. Alausa commended the NYSC for its adoption of digital tools, which have proven effective in tackling certificate fraud, particularly among graduates trained in other West African nations. He highlighted how these technological upgrades have bolstered the program’s integrity.
Additionally, the minister touched on a persistent concern regarding graduates who completed part-time Ordinary National Diploma (OND) programs before transitioning to full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) studies. Historically, such individuals were not required to participate in the national service, a policy that Dr. Alausa indicated might be revisited.
During the discussion, Dr. Alausa stressed the need to broaden the scope of the NYSC’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) initiative. He argued that extending the service period to two years would allow corps members to gain deeper expertise and practical experience. “You have done so well as an organization. Let NYSC give people more opportunity to become job creators that will meet the needs of the country,” he remarked.
The minister envisions a revamped NYSC that not only serves as a rite of passage but also equips young Nigerians to drive innovation and address national demands through entrepreneurship.
The idea of doubling the NYSC duration could reshape the program’s role in youth empowerment, offering participants more time to hone their abilities. However, the proposal is likely to prompt debates about its practicality, including resource allocation and its effects on participants’ future plans.
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