A wave of public anger has swept through Nigerian social platforms after a fatal crash claimed the lives of eighteen prospective corps members from the Adeyemi Federal University of Education in Ondo State. They were travelling to the Gombe NYSC camp when their bus veered off course and crashed, killing the driver and several passengers on the spot. The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of the NYSC scheme and sparked a growing call for a nationwide boycott.
The accident has shaken many families who had looked forward to the start of their children’s service year. It has also revived long-standing concerns over road safety, insecurity and the wisdom of sending young graduates to distant regions with limited protection.
Reactions began to pour in shortly after the news broke. One user wrote that the young victims had set out to serve their nation yet met danger before even reaching camp. Another questioned the continued practice of posting graduates far from home despite persistent insecurity and failing roads.
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Some of the strongest criticism came from users who argued that the NYSC scheme no longer reflects its original purpose. One post suggested that a mass refusal to register for the programme would force a review of its relevance. Others insisted that the increasing risks have outpaced any national benefit the scheme once offered.
A number of comments captured the frustration felt across the country. Many described the system as outdated and unsafe. Some called for reform, while others demanded an outright end to the programme. A recurring sentiment was that Nigeria cannot afford to lose more young lives to a system that appears unchanged despite repeated tragedies.
The mood online remains tense, with many urging the government to revisit the structure and safety measures of the NYSC programme. The grief now turning into public pressure has placed renewed attention on a national institution that millions have passed through, but which many now believe must confront serious reform.
