The Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, has announced plans to reform the National Youth Service Corps Scheme. Over 5,000 corps members will receive grants of N10 million each for their entrepreneurial ventures. A team will be set up to lead this reform.
The Minister made this announcement at the opening ceremony of the first meeting of NYSC management with heads of Corps-Producing Institutions in Nigeria, held in Abuja on Monday. Bio-Ibrahim shared her vision for the NYSC, focusing on participants with an entrepreneurial mindset and making skills development a core part of the programme.
Bio-Ibrahim explained that the aim is to create a self-sustaining and revenue-generating programme within the next five years. The NYSC already has a mandate for entrepreneurship, but the goal is to make it more efficient, effective, and beneficial.
In addition to the N10 million grants, the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund programme for 2024 will also support at least 5,000 corps members’ entrepreneurial ventures. This move is part of the broader plan to institutionalise NYSC ventures as an investment and asset management outfit.
Brigadier General Yushau’ Ahmed, Director-General of the NYSC, welcomed the heads of CPIs at the meeting. He said the aim was to enhance the mobilisation process of prospective corps members and to develop strategies to eliminate identified flaws, ensuring a smoother process.
Ahmed identified some obstacles in the mobilisation process, such as the delegation of roles to subordinates. He believes that the direct involvement of chief executives of institutions will promote a deeper understanding of the issues and ensure better results.
Ahmed also reiterated the NYSC’s commitment to the security and welfare of corps members. He called on CPIs, parents, and the public to help in sensitising young graduates about the call-up for national service.
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, was represented by Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of Women Affairs Secretariat in the FCT Administration. Wike praised the NYSC’s decision to involve critical stakeholders in brainstorming strategies for greater success.
Wike commended the NYSC’s commitment to national development and integration while acknowledging the challenges faced by the Scheme. He noted that the NYSC symbolises the collective commitment to national development, unity, and integration. However, he acknowledged the challenges, especially those related to the mobilisation process.
Wike stressed the need for innovative strategies to overcome these challenges and improve best practices for engaging young graduates in national development efforts. This, he said, cannot be overemphasised.
The reformation and restructuring of the NYSC aim to make the Scheme more impactful for corps members and the nation. By focusing on entrepreneurship and skills development, the government hopes to create a self-sustaining and revenue-generating NYSC programme that benefits both the corps members and the country as a whole.
