NYSC’s Mandate Of Building A New Nation
The
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme is set to wear a new look as
the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Youth Development, kick
starts reforms to streamline its activities. John Oba, writes on the
impact of these reforms on the scheme and the nation at large.
When the NYSC scheme was established
almost 39 years ago by the then military administration of General
Yakubu Gowon, its mandate of national unity and integration was timely.
It was designed to restore faith and hope in the nation after the trauma
of a thirty month civil war. The decree that established the scheme
stated that it was established with a view to proper encouragement and
development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion
of national unity
From the outset, it enjoyed the support of
Nigerians. The youths particularly embraced it as it provided them an
opportunity to interact with one another of diverse backgrounds and
culture. With time, its establishment was eulogized and its operation
as well as achievements, especially its momentous role in promoting
national unity, integration and rapid economic development of Nigeria,
commended. Countries from the West African sub region like Ghana,
Gambia, came to Nigeria to understudy its philosophy and operations with
a view to emulating it.
Speaking at a public lecture organised on
June 4, 1998 in Abuja to mark the Silver Jubilee of the scheme, the
pioneer chairman of the NYSC, Professor Adebayo Adedeji, likened the
rapid development of the scheme to the biblical grain, mustard seed,
planted in 1973, that has become a huge tree in 1998. He said: “In spite
of all the odds, the NYSC scheme has not only remained intact, but has
also prospered and expanded considerably.”
An analytical history of NYSC shows that
there is no aspect of Nigerian life that has not been affected by the
contributions of its participants. Ranging from the economic, education,
social, cultural and even psychological life, the scheme has touched
and has contributed meaningfully in its primary purpose which is to
instil discipline and foster patriotism in Nigerian youths and also
inculcate the spirit of selfless service to the community. It has, so
far, emphasised the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians,
irrespective of cultural or social background
But lately, the impact of the scheme seems
to be dwindling and its objectives though still relevant has witnessed
some challenges that have tested its continued relevance.
Challenges
Addressing the press recently, the
Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said that as
part of plans to unfold the posting policies of the NYSC which was part
of the scheme’s reformation, the realities of insecurity especially as
it affects the corps members have resulted in the need to improve
security around them in parts of the country where they are posted to.
The Minister said that high government
investment and non-commensurate return through measurable metrics were
factors necessitating the review of the scheme. Current budget, he
pointed, out provides about N280,000 per corps member per year which
accounts for allowances, uniform, materials, training etc. Imbalanced
cost allocation formula along tiers of government, continued population
growth which has increased the corps population, unaccompanied by a
proportional increase in funding, current budgets he explained could not
support infrastructure investment required to update currently
dilapidated facilities. Increased rate of unemployment after the year of
service to create self-reliant participants, interference by members of
the elite, affecting equitable distribution of members of the service
corps, enthusiasm on the part of some members of the corps undergoing
the scheme has ebbed over time, and the untapped opportunity to
facilitate national transformation and competitiveness are all
challenges that necessitate the rebranding of the scheme to incorporate
current realities. NYSC, he assured, can be transformed into a
sought-after experience that drives national economic transformation
Consequences
Analyzing the consequences of the
challenges currently facing the scheme, Abdullahi said: “The possible
outcomes of the status quo are far reaching with severe negative
implications for all stakeholders, such as unproductive educated youth
population, termination of NYSC Scheme, loss of potential economic gains
to the nation.”
Outlining the possible contribution of the
scheme to Nigeria, the minister said that NYSC could be used for
national transformation in the area of labour supply by posting corps
members to various parts of the country which would lead to equitable
labour supply and create equal development across the nation.
Strengthening value system that would expose the corps members to new
cultures and experiences which would expand perspectives, create
opportunity to instil discipline and societal values in the youths,
build a people of integrity, discipline and reducing the strain of
corruption. It could also forge unity and national integration by
erasing cultural, regional, religious lines and inculcating in Nigerian
youths the spirit of selfless service, emphasising the spirit of
oneness, irrespective of cultural or social background.
The scheme could also engender economic
development by harnessing the power of youths towards national
competitiveness and increase in rural growth and development. “The
impact of education especially at post-primary level is tremendous,
through community development initiatives. In the process, concrete
contributions can be made to infrastructural facilities in localities.”
Target of the reform
Unfolding the target of the reform,
Abdullahi stated that this would create opportunity to train future
leaders with clear benefit to Nigeria through dedicated service. In this
way, corps members would be adequately prepared to be employers and
employees as all postings would be aligned with national priorities. The
scope would be expanded to include national competitiveness,
socio-economic development and national unity where corps members would
be fully integrated and assimilated into their host communities.
The future NYSC, he assured, would have a
clear value proposition for the nation, focus service on areas of
national priority in line with the transformation agenda in Agriculture,
Education, Rural Health and Infrastructure.
It would also invest in rural development
in tandem with the NYSC mandate through the equitable distribution of
skilled youth workforce across the nation while deepening the vision of
national integration as highlighted by the NYSC Act.
The future of NYSC, he said, must also
have a clear value proposition to corps members where they would leave
service better equipped to be employers and employees, with the reform
also focusing on providing marketable skills to prepare corps members
for the labour force, encourage entrepreneurship and create future
employers. It would also strengthen the NYSC programme content and mode
of delivery to make them more relevant and impactful
Operation of the scheme after reform
Abdullahi further revealed that the reform
programme would be centred around improving operations through people,
process and technology. He said that the staff capacity would be built
to accommodate the introduction of technology and the revised training
content. Standardisation of processes involved in all programmes to
exclude non value-adding activities while focusing on empowering and
supporting youths through dedicated training programmes in
entrepreneurial initiatives. Also there would be introduction of
information and communications technology to speed up the turnaround
time in the delivery of the programmes while introducing transparency
and standardisation.
But as laudable as this reform look, the
question on the mind of most Nigerians LEADERSHIP spoke to was the
sustainability of such programme especially in the face of the current
security challenges in the country which has seen some corps members as
target of attack. Also, the fear was on the ability of the succeeding
administrations in the ministry to continue with the policy of the
present administration knowing full well the attitude of policy
abandonment in Nigeria. Also, the problem of accommodation for the corps
members and the state government reneging on the responsibility toward
the scheme was another challenge the reform might face.
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