Why NYSC Is Irrelevant to University Graduates in Nigeria, By Ufezime Nelson Ubi
Firstly, the job market in Nigeria is in shambles, and the NYSC does little to bridge the gap between graduates and employment opportunities.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was established in 1973 as a way to foster unity and rebuild Nigeria after the Civil War. While the program had noble intentions, its relevance to today’s university graduates is increasingly being questioned. Many argue that it has become outdated, inefficient, and unable to address the realities facing young Nigerians in the 21st century.
Firstly, the job market in Nigeria is in shambles, and the NYSC does little to bridge the gap between graduates and employment opportunities. Graduates are often posted to remote areas or institutions where their skills are underutilized or outright ignored. Instead of being a platform to launch careers, NYSC is seen as a one-year delay in an already bleak journey toward securing gainful employment. Many graduates complete the program only to join the millions of unemployed youths struggling to make ends meet.
Furthermore, the security challenges in the country make NYSC placements a risk to the lives of graduates. Posting youths to regions plagued by banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes endangers them unnecessarily. Every year, there are reports of corps members being victims of violence, kidnappings, or accidents during their service year. Parents and graduates alike question the wisdom of risking lives for a program that adds little to their future prospects.
The stipend provided to corps members is another point of contention. The current allowance barely covers the cost of living, leaving graduates to rely on their families or struggle with financial difficulties during their service year. This defeats the purpose of NYSC being a bridge to self-reliance. In a country where the cost of living continues to rise, this meager allowance highlights the program’s failure to adapt to economic realities.
Another issue is the lack of proper training and skill development within the NYSC framework. Instead of equipping graduates with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive job market, the program often focuses on manual labor projects or teaching roles that do not align with their career aspirations. For instance, engineering graduates are sent to teach in primary schools, while accountants are posted to rural health centers. This mismatch of skills and assignments renders the program ineffective in preparing graduates for their chosen fields.
Additionally, the NYSC has become a breeding ground for corruption and inefficiency. Graduates with connections or money often manipulate their postings to secure urban placements or avoid the program altogether. This undermines the fairness and purpose of the initiative, leaving those without influence to bear the brunt of its shortcomings.
Perhaps the most damning criticism of the NYSC is its inability to achieve its core objective of fostering unity. Nigeria remains deeply divided along ethnic, religious, and regional lines, despite decades of NYSC operations. The program’s impact on national integration has been negligible, as the underlying issues driving division—poor governance, economic inequality, and systemic corruption—remain unaddressed.
In today’s world, young people need practical skills, entrepreneurial opportunities, and a supportive environment to succeed. NYSC, in its current form, does not provide these. Instead of mandatory service, the government could invest in programs that focus on job creation, skill acquisition, and support for startups. Graduates should be given the choice to participate in such initiatives, rather than being compelled to undergo a program that no longer serves its intended purpose.
In conclusion, the NYSC has outlived its relevance to university graduates in Nigeria. While it may have been a valuable initiative in the past, it has failed to adapt to the changing needs of young Nigerians. A comprehensive overhaul or complete discontinuation of the program is long overdue. It is time to replace the NYSC with initiatives that genuinely empower graduates and prepare them for the challenges of the modern world.
