Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has proposed extending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program from one year to two years. He made the suggestion during a meeting with the newly appointed NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, on Friday in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa highlighted various improvements within the scheme, particularly the successful digitalization process, which has helped curb certificate fraud involving foreign-trained graduates in West Africa.
Commending the NYSC for its innovations, he emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities for skill acquisition and entrepreneurship among corps members. The minister also addressed the inclusion of part-time National Diploma graduates who hold Higher National Diplomas, calling for their better integration into the program.
He stressed that lengthening the service year would give young Nigerians more time to develop essential skills and become job creators, stating, “Let NYSC provide even more opportunities for young Nigerians to become job creators and contribute to the nation’s needs.” In response, Brigadier General Nafiu applauded the Minister’s forward-thinking approach and suggested creating a database to monitor Nigerian students pursuing degrees abroad, which could strengthen NYSC’s coordination.
