Education

FG Lifts Restrictions on NYSC Corps Members, Opens Doors to Serve in Banks and Others Private Sector

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 20th, 2024.

FG Lifts Restrictions on NYSC Corps Members, Opens Doors to Serve in Banks and Others Private Sector

The Federal Government has officially lifted the previous ban that restricted members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from being posted to private sector organizations. Under the new policy, corps members will now be eligible to serve in a wide range of private companies, including banks, oil and gas firms, and other industries.

A memo from the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, dated November 18, 2024, confirmed that this change will be implemented with the commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation exercise. The memo outlines that this policy shift aligns with the administration’s goal of tackling youth unemployment and expanding job opportunities for Nigerian graduates.

Under the previous policy, which was enforced during the tenure of former Youth and Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, corps members were only allowed to serve in specific public sector roles—mainly in education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure. The intent was to promote public sector capacity building and prevent the exploitation of corps members by private enterprises seeking cheap labor.

However, Minister Olawande emphasized that the new policy aims to enhance the employability of corps members by offering them relevant work experience in their fields of study. This change, he explained, would help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the practical skills needed in the labor market.

The new directive, which will initially apply in Lagos and Abuja, permits corps members to be posted to private companies, including banks and those in the oil and gas sector. Olawande noted that this would allow young Nigerians to gain more hands-on experience in areas closely related to their academic qualifications, something the previous policy had hindered.

The memo states in part, “Given the need for our youth to acquire relevant experience that prepares them for the job market, it has become essential to lift restrictions on corps member postings. Effective immediately, all restrictions on postings are removed, and corps members will now be posted to organizations in the private sector that align with their academic backgrounds.”

This policy change is expected to significantly expand career opportunities for Nigerian youth and provide them with a broader range of experiences, better equipping them for the workforce upon completion of their national service.