Worried by the escalating rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria, the Federal Government has revoked all previous directives related to posting restrictions in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This decision aims to expand opportunities for corps members and improve their chances of securing employment after their service year.
A memo, dated November 18, 2024, from the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, to the NYSC Director General, outlined that the lifting of these restrictions would take effect from the start of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course.
In a statement issued by the Information and Public Relations Department, Omolara Esan, on Tuesday in Abuja, Olawande emphasized that the Ministerial directive aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to ensure all government ministries, agencies, and parastatals operate in harmony with the administration’s overarching vision.
Olawande explained that President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the high rate of youth unemployment in the country. “As a result, he expects the Ministry of Youth Development and its affiliated agencies to take a leading role in addressing the issue,” the Minister noted.
The current posting policy, which limits corps members’ placements to four sectors—Education, Agriculture, Health, and Infrastructure—was introduced during the tenure of former Minister Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
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Olawande acknowledged that while the former Minister’s intent was to address concerns over the overuse of cheap corps labor in the private sector, the policy has inadvertently restricted opportunities for specialized training and career development for corps members.
“Many corps members who require specialized training in their areas of study are limited by the posting policy, which has greatly hampered their ability to gather relevant experience,” Olawande stated.
He stressed that in the face of the country’s unemployment crisis, it was essential to expand opportunities for corps members to serve in areas relevant to their fields of study, thereby preparing them more effectively for the job market.
“Therefore, as we battle the unemployment crisis, there is an urgent need to review this policy to expand the opportunity and access for corps members to serve in places that are relevant to their areas of study,” Olawande added.
He further directed that, “Without prejudice to the need to constantly review in accordance with prevailing realities, I now direct as follows: Lifting of all restrictions on postings.”
Olawande confirmed the following policy changes: “Posting of corps members to, as much as practicable, be in line with their course of study; posting of corps members to select banks and other private sector organizations, including those operating in oil and gas, to commence with Abuja and Lagos.”
The directive also includes the revocation of all previous posting restrictions, which will take effect from the commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course.
“I hereby revoke all previous directives relating to posting restrictions with effect from the date of commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course,” Olawande stated.
“The directive contained herein will take effect from the date of commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course and applies to any matter relating to the posting and distribution of corps members to Places of Primary Assignment,” he concluded.
This move aims to not only enhance the skillset of youth participants in the NYSC program but also to align their service year with industry needs, increasing their employability prospects in an increasingly competitive job market.
