NYSC faced opposition from students at inception – Gowon

The founding father of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Yakubu Gowon, has narrated how the scheme faced opposition, particularly from students, at inception.

Gowon, who served as Nigeria’s military head of state between 1966 and 1975, established the scheme to strengthen unity among Nigerians. The country had just come out of a civil war at the time.

During a visit by the newly appointed NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, in Abuja, the former military head of state narrated how the scheme met student opposition.

The Acting Director, Information and Public Relations of the NYSC, Caroline Embu, in a statement, gave details of the visit.

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“He said the NYSC was greeted with strong opposition from Nigerian students across the country at inception, had not only overcome the initial misgivings but had grown to become a nationally recognised and accepted tool for fostering national unity, integration, development, job creation, and youth empowerment in Nigeria,” the statement read in part.

Gowon also commended the managers of the Scheme for sustaining the vision that informed the establishment of NYSC and the contribution of graduates who serve the country during the mandatory one-year scheme.

He also urged General Nafiu to improve the scheme.