Amend NYSC Act to Make Scheme Driver of Nigeria’s Economy

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja 

The Chairman-designate of the Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), Chief Hilliard Etta, has called on the federal government to amend the NYSC Act, and make it the driver of the nation’s economy. 

Etta, who made the call while speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, said the scheme has outlived its purpose of unifying Nigerians.

He noted that although the scheme was created in 1972 by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), to promote unity after the civil war, Nigeria remains more divided today than it was at the time of its establishment.

He also dusclosed that the inauguration of the board is awaiting presidential directive.

The one-time Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), said the legal framework establishing the NYSC must be amended to reflect current national realities.

“I believe that the legal framework of the scheme has to be amended and interrogate the essence for which it was established. The thought was to engender unity and cohesion in Nigeria. 

“The question is, many years down the line, have we as a nation achieved the goal for which the scheme was established?

“NYSC should now be repositioned to drive national economic development through industrial skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and vocational training,” he said.

Accordingto him,  “the one-year service period should be transformed into an intensive capacity-building programme that equips graduates with practical skills needed in today’s job market.

“The scheme should be used for national economic development. It is faulty now. What is the essence? What is the need? This scheme can be used to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria industrially. Today, our graduates are not employable; they have no skills.” 

He noted that corps members should leave the programme with marketable skills that would make them employable globally and capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s industrial growth.

On the delay in inaugurating the NYSC Governing Board, despite its composition since August last year, Etta said he was informed during a recent visit to the Minister of Education that the Presidency’s directive is still being awaited.

He described the delay as unnecessary, noting that the inauguration of the board is long overdue.

Etta called on state governments to meet up with their statutory responsibility to the scheme to build and maintain habitable orientation camps for corps members, as provided for under the law establishing the scheme.