The Federal Government has lifted the long-standing ban on the posting of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to private sector organizations, allowing corps members to serve in top-tier industries such as banking and oil and gas.
This policy shift, announced via a memo by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on November 18, 2024, will take effect with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation exercise.
Under the previous policy, introduced during the tenure of former Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, NYSC postings were restricted to four sectors: education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure. The goal was to bolster public sector capacity and prevent the exploitation of cheap labour by private firms.
However, Minister Olawande emphasized that this restrictive approach limited the professional growth of Nigerian youth. The new directive aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s strategy to tackle youth unemployment and equip graduates with the skills needed for a competitive labour market.
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Corps members can now be posted to private sector organizations, including banks and oil and gas firms. Postings will align with their fields of study, fostering relevance and practical skill acquisition.
The initiative will commence in Lagos and Abuja before a nationwide implementation.
The memo highlighted the importance of expanding service opportunities, stating, “The now-revoked policy has greatly hampered experience gathering that would effectively prepare them for the job market.”
Experts and stakeholders have lauded the policy shift as a timely intervention to address the nation’s unemployment crisis. By enabling NYSC members to serve in highly competitive industries, the government aims to provide invaluable professional experiences that will enhance employability.
