The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has firmly opposed the proposal to extend the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme from one year to two years.
His stance has been welcomed by many young Nigerians who believe the focus should be on improving the existing programme rather than making it longer.
The proposal, earlier raised by the Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, suggested that the NYSC scheme be extended to two years.
Alausa had pointed out the need to grow the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) initiative as a way to better prepare corps members for life after service.
However, Olawande disagreed, stressing that time is not the solution to the programme’s challenges.
“What most corps members know about NYSC is that it’s just about serving the fatherland. So, they spend the one year without adding value to themselves or inspiring others,” he noted while addressing journalists after the 2025 Annual Management Conference of the NYSC in Abuja.
He argued that many young Nigerians go through the service year without gaining practical experience or relevant knowledge.
According to him, if more impactful strategies are introduced, the one-year NYSC programme would be more than enough to achieve its goals.
“If things continue the same way, we won’t get new, impactful results. Reform is the way forward. I’m not saying NYSC isn’t doing anything right, but we can do better,” he added with hope and conviction.
Furthermore, he criticized how orientation camps currently focus more on parades and routines than on actual learning.
He believes NYSC can be made more practical and inspiring if the programme shifts its attention to what truly matters for today’s youth growth, employment, and entrepreneurship.
The 2025 NYSC Annual Management Conference, which was held under the theme “Transforming the NYSC Scheme to Meet the Yearnings of Contemporary Nigerian Graduates and Society,” served as a platform to reflect on the scheme’s performance and future.
Speaking at the event, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, shared his thoughts on the programme’s direction.
He explained that the conference was organized to review past activities and plan for better results in the future.
According to him, the scheme is being shaped to match modern-day expectations and national goals.
“The NYSC remains committed to aligning its operations with national development goals and the expectations of modern-day Nigerian youth,” Nafiu stated.
In addition, he assured stakeholders that the scheme will respond to the growing calls for reform from young graduates and society.
He recognized that the world is changing fast and the NYSC must adapt to stay relevant.
Therefore, as the conversation around NYSC reform in Nigeria deepens, many Nigerians are hopeful that the service year will become more meaningful.
