NYSC Orientation Camps: FG Lifts Restrictions on Postings:In a move aimed at tackling the growing problem of youth unemployment in Nigeria, the Federal Government has lifted all restrictions on National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) postings.
This development was announced in a memo dated November 18, 2024, issued by the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, to the NYSC Director General. The memo confirmed that the policy changes will take effect starting with the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course.
According to a statement by Omolara Esan, the Ministry’s Information and Public Relations Officer, the directive aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to ensure all government ministries, agencies, and parastatals work harmoniously to achieve the administration’s goals.
The Minister emphasized that the President is deeply concerned about the alarming rate of youth unemployment in the country. He pointed out that the Ministry of Youth Development, alongside its affiliated agencies, has been tasked with taking the lead in addressing this pressing issue.
Existing Posting Policy Under Review
The Minister explained that the current NYSC posting policy, introduced during the tenure of former Minister Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, limits postings to four key sectors: Education, Agriculture, Health, and Infrastructure.
At the time, this policy was justified on the grounds that while the government was funding the NYSC, private organizations were exploiting the availability of affordable corps labour. While this reasoning was valid, the Minister noted that the policy has significantly restricted corps members from gaining specialized experience in their fields of study, thus limiting their preparedness for the job market.
New Directives
To address this challenge, the Federal Government has now revoked all prior directives restricting corps member postings. The Minister announced several key changes to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of the NYSC program:
- Lifting of All Posting Restrictions: Corps members will no longer be confined to specific sectors.
- Alignment with Academic Backgrounds: Efforts will be made to post corps members to areas that align with their courses of study.
- Involvement of Private Sector Organizations: Selected banks, as well as private companies in sectors such as oil and gas, will begin accepting corps members. The rollout will start in Abuja and Lagos.
These changes are expected to create more opportunities for corps members to gain practical experience relevant to their academic training and career aspirations.
Implementation Timeline
The directive takes immediate effect with the commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course. The Minister stated that this applies to all matters related to the posting and distribution of corps members to their Places of Primary Assignment (PPA).
By lifting these restrictions, the Federal Government hopes to expand opportunities for NYSC participants and better equip them for the competitive job market.
Sources: Campus informant ,
