The Young Leaders Forum of Nigeria (YLFN) has cautioned against moves to transform the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) into a full-fledged skills acquisition centre, insisting that the scheme’s primary mandate of promoting national unity and integration must not be diluted.

Instead, the group urged the Federal Government to improve funding for the NYSC to enable it to strengthen its existing Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, improve corps members’ welfare, and expand community development initiatives.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Coordinator, Dr. Marcus Abechi, the forum described the NYSC as one of Nigeria’s most enduring and impactful national institutions, commending its contributions to nation-building, educational development and peaceful coexistence.

The group said the scheme has remained faithful to the vision behind its establishment by fostering national integration and exposing young graduates to Nigeria’s cultural diversity through service outside their states of origin.

It noted that beyond promoting unity, corps members have continued to bridge manpower shortages in rural communities, particularly in public schools, where they serve as teachers, while also supporting healthcare delivery, agriculture, legal aid and other community development initiatives.

“The NYSC remains one of the most successful nation-building programmes ever established in Nigeria. For over five decades, it has continued to unite young Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional divides while making invaluable contributions to education, healthcare, agriculture and community development,” the statement said.

According to the forum, the SAED programme has already demonstrated its value by equipping corps members with vocational, entrepreneurial and business management skills, making further structural changes unnecessary.

“The challenge confronting the programme is not its structure or design but the level of funding available for its expansion and sustainability.
“What the NYSC requires today is improved funding that will enable the scheme to deepen its skills acquisition programmes, strengthen empowerment initiatives, expand post-training support for corps members, improve welfare, and enhance community development projects,” the statement added.

The forum warned that altering the core mandate of the NYSC could weaken its historic role as Nigeria’s foremost platform for national integration and cohesion.

It therefore called on the Federal Government, the National Assembly and other stakeholders to prioritise increased funding for the scheme rather than pursuing reforms that could divert it from its original objectives.

“A well-funded NYSC will be better positioned to produce more empowered youths, stronger communities and a more united Nigeria,” the forum said.