Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, the Minister of Youth Development, has announced plans to restructure the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to address future requirements. She mentioned that a team will soon be formed to review, restructure, and implement reforms within the NYSC.
This declaration was made during the inaugural meeting of NYSC management with leaders of institutions that produce corps members in Nigeria, held in Abuja on Monday.
Additionally, the minister revealed that funding close to N10 million will be allocated to support entrepreneurial ventures for over 5,000 corps members.
She said: “Permit me to inform us very briefly that on what is to come regarding NYSC reforms. I’m pleased to announce that I will be inaugurating a team to undertake the review, restructuring, and reforms of the NYSC. The first of these reforms will be centred on reviewing participants with an entrepreneurship mindset and making skills development a core of the programme.
“The NYSC already does that but the objective is to work with them to strengthen what that mandate that they already have more efficient, effective, and beneficiary.
“So we envision a future where the NYSC programmes are not only self-sustained but also a revenue-generating programme within the next five years and to achieve this, we will institutionalise the NYSC ventures as an investment and asset management outfit.
“Furthermore, as part of the Nigeria youth investment fund programme for 2024, I’m also pleased to announce that at least 5,000 corps members will have their entrepreneurial ventures funded with upto N10 million passing out.”
Brigadier General Yushau’ Ahmed, the Director-General of NYSC, expressed his welcome to the heads of institutions that produce corps members, highlighting the purpose of the meeting to improve the mobilization process for prospective corps members.
Ahmed explained that this meeting, following a prior one with heads of similar institutions in West African countries, seeks to develop strategies to address identified shortcomings and ensure a smoother mobilization process.
“We have identified some obstacles, including the delegation of roles to subordinates, and we believe that the direct involvement of chief executives of institutions will promote a deeper appreciation of issues and ensure desired results,” Ahmed added.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, praised the NYSC for convening key stakeholders to collaborate on devising optimal strategies for enhanced success, in line with modern global standards for achieving goals effectively. He commended the NYSC’s adoption of technology-driven methods to improve its operations and encouraged participants to actively engage in ensuring the success of the meeting.
Wike, who was represented by the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCT Administration, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi said: “The NYSC has consistently symbolised our collective commitment to national development, unity, and integration. However, like any other human endeavour, we are aware that the Scheme faces challenges, including those posed by the mobilisation process. In this regard, the need for the adoption of innovative strategies to surmount challenges and enhance best practices for the engagement of our young graduates in national development efforts cannot be overemphasized.
“It is gratifying to note that the Scheme is focused on enhancing the efficiency of its operation, especially through the adoption of technology-driven approaches in data collation and processing for mobilisation and deployment purposes. I encourage you to continue to optimise the IT solutions for accuracy and greater efficiency.
“I am aware that this meeting is maiden and a crucial step in addressing critical issues about the effective implementation of operational policies of the NYSC Scheme. I commend the decision of the NYSC to periodically bring critical stakeholders together to brainstorm on the best strategies for greater success, which aligns perfectly with the contemporary global best practices for achieving desired results. I therefore urge you all to participate actively and offer insightful contributions as you navigate the path ahead. At the end of the day, I am confident that this all-important engagement will be paving way for a more responsive, efficient, and impactful National Youth Service Corps.
“I consider it appropriate to use this forum to express appreciation for the enormous contributions of Corps Members deployed to serve in the Territory, especially in key sectors such as health and education. On our part, we will continue to accord priority to the security and general welfare of the Corps members.”
Credit: The Nation Newspaper
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