The Federal Government has proposed an optional extra year for corps members who are willing to stay back and acquire practical, market-ready skills to boost their employability and contribute to national development.
The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, shared the proposal during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Olakunle Nafiu, and his team to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued on 5 April, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, said the optional second year would be open to corps members who are keen to stay on and receive additional training in areas such as vocational, entrepreneurial, ICT, and agricultural skills among others.
According to Dr Alausa, the additional year wouldn’t be compulsory but would serve as a valuable opportunity for young Nigerians to gain hands-on experience, boost their employability, and make meaningful contributions to national development.
“Such an extension would serve as a strategic solution to unemployment by offering young Nigerians more time to acquire market-ready skills. It would enable corps members to make more meaningful contributions to national development while enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial potential,” he said.
Teacher’s Corps, Rural Health Corps
As part of efforts to reform the NYSC, the Education Minister also proposed two key initiatives – the Teacher’s Corps and the Rural Health Corps.
He described the Teacher’s Corps as a voluntary programme designed to engage National Certificate in Education (NCE) holders as temporary teachers in underserved areas for two years, provided they meet the NYSC age requirement.
Dr Alausa explained that the Rural Health Corps is aimed at deploying nurses, doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who have completed their one-year compulsory NYSC but are willing to serve an additional year in rural communities.
He stressed the need for a comprehensive reform of the NYSC orientation programme to incorporate vocational, entrepreneurial, agricultural, and ICT training to reduce unemployment and boost youth employability.
Nigeria’s greatest asset
The minister described Nigerian youth as the nation’s most valuable resource for driving progress in education, healthcare, and economic development.
He reaffirmed his belief in the potentials of the youth as the greatest asset for advancing education and economic growth, which cannot be underestimated.
NYSC, Ministry pledge stronger partnership
Speaking during the visit, the NYSC DG, Brigadier General Nafiu commended the Ministry for its continued partnership while he highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at improving service delivery.
He advocated for the establishment of a pre-departure database to monitor Nigerian students studying abroad, tackle certificate fraud, and uphold the integrity of academic qualifications.
Nafiu further applauded the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, and called for sustained collaboration with the Ministry to strengthen education and empower Nigerian youth.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, a Professor of Science Education commended the NYSC for its continued role in upholding academic standards, particularly amid concerns about certificate fraud and the growing issue of transnational education.
In his remark, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abel Enitan, described the visit as a timely meeting of minds. He praised both Ministers and the NYSC for their shared vision of reforms that aim to strengthen the education system and empower young Nigerians.
Both the ministry and the NYSC leadership reaffirmed their commitment to reforms anchored on integrity, innovation, and youth-driven transformation.
