50th Anniversary: FG should make NYSC voluntary, says Jega

…seeks improved welfare for corps members

A Former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has advised the federal government to trim down the number of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members by making the scheme voluntary, rather than mandatory.

He also advocated improved security and welfare for corps members.

According to the former INEC chairman, the existing allowance given to corps members is “very shameful.”

Jega made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering a lecture to commemorate NYSC’s 50th anniversary.

He said “Specifically, government should substantially increase the funding provisions, ensure security of corps members in their areas of deployment, and motivate staff administering the scheme. Or, in the alternative, trim down number of participants by making the scheme voluntary, rather than mandatory, with high CGPA as prequalification for participation.

According to him “national service should be voluntary, with carefully defined qualifications, which help to limit the number of participants for a well-structured and impactful service.

“We should learn from such best practices to reposition the NYSC for more impactful contribution to Nigeria’s national development in the decades to come.

He noted that given the commendable role that the NYSC has played in Nigeria’s national development, it has the prospects of playing a greater role in the decades to come.

“However, the future prospects of the NYSC would depend on addressing the identified challenges and constraints and appropriately repositioning it, consistent with global best practices.

“Specifically, government should substantially increase the funding provisions, ensure security of corps members in their areas of deployment, and motivate staff administering the scheme. Or, in the alternative, trim down number of participants by making the scheme voluntary, rather than mandatory, with high CGPA as prequalification for participation.

In his address earlier at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Sunday Dare noted that NYSC has become a household name in the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

“Is not surprising because the Scheme, since inception 50 years ago, has kept faith with its objectives and mandate.

Through its programmes, the Scheme has made invaluable impact in various aspects of national development, including providing health care to our rural communities, while its contributions to education and rural infrastructure are legendary.