The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has proposed an extension of the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme from one year to two years. Alausa made the suggestion on Friday during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at his office in Abuja.
In a statement shared on NYSC’s official Facebook page, the Minister also advocated for the expansion of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Training Programme content for corps members, highlighting the need to better equip youth with the skills necessary for the modern workforce.
“The extension of national service from one to two years, alongside the expansion of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Training programme content, will enhance the overall impact of the scheme,” Alausa stated.
Additionally, Alausa emphasized the importance of deploying more graduate teachers to rural schools, a move aimed at addressing the significant manpower gap in these educational institutions. He commended the NYSC management for its digitalized efforts to improve the mobilisation process, especially in curbing certificate racketeering, which had been a concern with some foreign-trained graduates from West Africa.
Alausa further acknowledged the NYSC’s work in resolving the issue of OND part-time graduates who were previously exempted from national service, noting that this was a significant step forward in ensuring that all eligible graduates participate in the programme.
Efforts to digitise the verification of foreign-trained Nigerian graduates are currently underway, according to Alausa, who also assured that the Ministry and NYSC would continue to strengthen their partnership to advance education in the country.
“You have done so well as an organisation. Let NYSC give people more opportunities to become job creators that will meet the needs of the country,” the minister added.
Earlier, Brigadier General Nafiu praised the Ministry of Education for its innovations and significant strides in the education sector. He also suggested the creation of a database for Nigerian students studying abroad for degree programmes. This, he said, would help the government and relevant stakeholders identify fake graduates and safeguard the integrity of the education system.
“We are ready to comply with policy guidelines as directed by the Federal Government. We are also reforming the Scheme to align with current national needs,” Nafiu affirmed.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, also reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with NYSC to further elevate the standard of education in Nigeria.
