The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) is a compulsory one-year service for all graduates below the age of 30 years created since 22 May ,1973.
Nigerian graduates are ineligible for employment in governmental establishments (and most private establishments) until they have completed the mandatory one-year service or obtained the relevant exemptions.
It was established based on decree No. 24 which stated that the scheme was created “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity”.
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But the scheme has come under heavy criticism in recent years and many have suggested that it had outlived its usefulness. Others have also suggested a reform of the scheme.
THE WHISTLER spoke to some fresh graduates now awaiting NYSC who made revealing statements about the scheme.
NAMEH JOHN
“I am not expecting anything from NYSC. I am just doing it because I am mandated to do it. I just know I have to do it if I want to work in Nigeria later in life. I am expecting it to be really strenuous and tiring because everyone I know that had done it came back looking darker or thin. I just want this one year to be really fast. Just to close my eyes and do it. I am really scared. I am already skinny. I don’t want to lose more weight and look sick.
“ I am also expecting that I will make more friends from different parts of the country and I will know more things because I will not serve in my hometown or where I live so I am expecting to learn from different people and cultures. That is all. I am expecting to learn new work ethics since I will have to work for one year probably at or school or where else.”
WAGWU WINIFRED
“I don’t think I am expecting much from NYSC. I am rather concerned what they expect from me. I am still speaking to people concerning what they did during their NYSC as a side hustle and where they were posted to work for that period. I am hoping NYSC will post me in any of my states of choice.”
SHAQUILLE JULIEN OBOMEGHIE
“I am not really expecting anything from NYSC because I get mixed feedbacks from people on it.”
ANITA DADUIOWEI
“Honestly, I am not expecting too much during NYSC but I would like to be posted to a good place and a firm related to my field of study and I hope I won’t get to teach. I hope I will be retained after NYSC.”
CHUKWUMBA CHIKE
“I expect that they as an organization that seek the progress of graduates should first ensure the safety of all those posted to different states and stationed in several offices. I would also like the organisation to create an avenue in camp where the corpers would be able to showcase their working skills and start-ups that they have planned. An organization like NYSC should be able to reach out to investors and privately owned business ventures that can either employ qualified graduates or invest in their businesses. This will surely reduce the unemployment rate in the country and even encourage more youths to create start-up businesses instead of remaining idle.”
DIMOKO ADRAIN
“During NYSC, I am expecting a fun filled time and a time to interact and know new people from all across Nigeria and experience the rich culture of the country.”
OKEY RHOBI
“I am expecting exposure. It may sound vague so I will break it down into two kinds. Firstly, exposure to actual life practical experience and responsibilities. Secondly, exposure to a host of individuals in order to acquire a good network. Hopefully the 30k allowance minimum wage as promised.”
ONORUESE OGHENETEJIRI
“I am not expecting much from NYSC. Just to work it to Abuja and stay in the place I did my Internship.”
OLUWATAYO AYODEJI
“I don’t want anything from NYSC except more money. No new friends.”
NWAKEAGO KILLY
“I am not expecting anything from NYSC but I just hope I will be posted to Abuja so I can work in an International Organization like ECOWAS or an NGO or in a government office.”
EBOH PRAISE
I am not expecting much. I know I will meet new people and it will be fun.”
ARIMORO MOFIYINOLUWA ESTHER
“Due to my love for teaching, I hope I will be posted to a school so I can meet many children and try to educate them in academical areas but also in other spheres of life. I also want to have some of my friends from university in my camp so I wouldn’t be forced to make friends on the first day since I am so shy.”
ASIWAJU-DADA SIMISOLA
“During NYSC, I hope to meet a lot of people and expand my network. I hope to be posted to Lagos so I can be close to home.”
EMUEKPERE LISA
“I know I will make a lot of friends during NYSC because that is the feedback I get from people. I know it will be challenging but I am always up for a challenge. I want to serve in Abuja in any good company that will be a steppingstone for a wonderful career. I know everything will fall in place when you work hard, and I am ready to work hard. I hope NYSC increases the minimum wage to 30 thousand naira. That will be very encouraging.”
OYINKANSOLA MUSA
“I am expecting NYSC to increase their minimum wage to 30 thousand Naira.”
IKECHUKWU AHIARA
I am expecting that NYSC will help me understand better what career path I would like to take going forward.