Fund NYSC, Retain Leadership Structure, Youths Begs Tinubu

A youth advocacy group, the Coalition for National Unity and Youth Development, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend aspects of the proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), warning that altering the scheme’s traditional structure could weaken its role in promoting national unity, discipline and emergency response.

The coalition, in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its President, Abdulrahman Sani, and Secretary, Grace Nwafor, acknowledged the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise the NYSC but argued that reforms should not fundamentally change the identity of the over five-decade-old institution.

It urged the President to constitute an expanded review committee comprising former NYSC directors-general, security experts, university administrators, employers, labour unions, youth organisations and civil society groups before the proposals are transmitted to the National Assembly.

“We respectfully appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow a historic national institution to be fundamentally altered without exhaustive consultation.

“Mr President has consistently demonstrated that he listens to Nigerians, and we sincerely beg him to pause this process and allow broader stakeholder engagement before any irreversible decision is taken,” the group said.

The coalition argued that the NYSC was primarily established as a nation-building institution and warned against allowing vocational and skills acquisition programmes to overshadow its original purpose.

According to the group, the scheme’s greatest contribution to Nigeria has been its ability to bring young people from different ethnic, religious and regional backgrounds together.

“It would be unfortunate if the NYSC gradually loses its identity and becomes known merely as another government skills acquisition programme.

“Skills are important, but they are not the reason the scheme was created. Its greatest achievement has been bringing young Nigerians together across ethnic, religious and regional divides at a time when our country desperately needed healing,” the statement added.

The coalition maintained that vocational training could be strengthened without altering the core structure and philosophy of the NYSC.

The group also defended the military component of the NYSC orientation programme, describing it as one of the scheme’s strongest features.

It argued that discipline, patriotism, teamwork and resilience could not be effectively taught through classroom instruction alone.

“Across the world, countries such as Singapore, South Korea, Israel and Switzerland continue to expose their young citizens to structured national or military service because they understand that national development depends not only on knowledge but also on discipline, sacrifice and civic responsibility.

“Nigeria should strengthen that tradition rather than weaken it,” the coalition stated.

The youth group also recalled the contribution of corps members during national emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, elections and humanitarian crises.

It said the experiences demonstrated that the NYSC should be viewed as a strategic national emergency asset rather than merely a youth development programme.

“When COVID-19 placed enormous pressure on our healthcare system, it was not only permanent government workers who answered the call.

“Hundreds of NYSC doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists stood on the frontlines in isolation centres and public hospitals across the country.

“During elections, disease outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies, corps members have repeatedly proven that the NYSC is a national emergency asset, not just a youth programme,” the coalition said.

The group dismissed suggestions that the proposed reforms would introduce digital innovation into the NYSC, noting that mobilisation, deployment, documentation and records management had already been substantially automated.

According to the coalition, inadequate funding, deteriorating facilities and corps members’ welfare were more urgent challenges requiring government attention.

“It is difficult to present digitalisation as a new reform when the NYSC has, for years, operated one of the most advanced digital administrative systems in the public service.

“The bigger challenge is funding. Give the scheme adequate resources, modern facilities and stronger welfare, and it will continue to deliver even greater value to Nigeria,” it said.

The coalition expressed concern that public discussion surrounding the proposed reforms had shifted to debates over uniforms and the possible introduction of Adire fabric.

It argued that the controversy showed the need for broader consultation before legislative amendments were pursued.