The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme established in 1973 by Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s administration to foster peace and unity among Nigerians following the ugly scars of the 1967-70 fratricidal Nigerian civil war will clock 50 years this week. The golden jubilee of the intervention scheme, which calls for celebration, still provides the ample opportunity to reevaluate the continued relevance or otherwise of the scheme and chart the way forward.
The NYSC scheme was established by Nigerian military leader, Gowon, by Decree No. 24 of 22nd May 1973. Although the Decree has reportedly witnessed several amendments, the service scheme was essentially established to ensure reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of a country emerging from a brutal civil war, which lasted almost three years.
Also, the scheme was meant to inculcate in Nigerian youths the spirit of self-reliance and selfless service to the nation. It will also enable the participants to study and understand the cultures and mores of other ethnic groups in Nigeria other than their own. The maiden edition of the scheme commenced in 1972/1973 academic session with the mobilisation of graduates of Nigerian universities, who were not above 30 years of age.
Later, graduates of polytechnics and colleges of education were mobilised for service. However, graduates of colleges of education were barred from service after the 1984/85 service year. The cardinal programmes of the NYSC scheme include mobilisation, orientation, primary/secondary assignment and winding-up/passing out parade.
While in orientation camp, Corps members are equally exposed to lectures and language studies, physical training, Man O’ War drills, military parade and martial art. They are also exposed to skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training. No doubt, the established of the NYSC scheme was a noble idea to enhance national unity and cohesion among the diverse ethnic groups in the country. At inception, the scheme lived up to the expectation of its founders in unifying the country. Many corps members served in other parts of the country other than their own. It helped to correct some cultural misconceptions, prejudices and stereotypes Nigerians have against other ethnic groups. It led to inter-ethnic marriages as well as exchange of labour. It led to forging of new bonds and relationships across ethnic and religious lines. To a large extent, the scheme helped to ameliorate the wounds of the nation’s civil war.
Nevertheless, the scheme has been trailed by lots of criticisms ranging from poor remuneration, preferential postings and insecurity, among others. Arising from these criticisms, many Nigerians have called for outright scrapping of the 50-year-old scheme.
To them, the scheme has outlived its usefulness and therefore must be jettisoned. They also argued that an intervention scheme meant for a few Nigerians, who are in the minority, cannot guarantee the much-needed national unity and cohesion. The N33,000 monthly stipend paid to each corps member is grossly inadequate considering the nation’s high inflation rate and rising cost of living. Some other Nigerians have suggested that the scheme should be optional and that corps members should be allowed to choose where to serve.
For some time now, the safety of corps members has been compromised in some states of the country on account of rising insecurity and other factors. During the 2011 general elections, some corps members were killed for their participation in the poll as INEC ad-hoc staff. Some corps members have fallen victims of kidnapping, banditry and other criminalities in different parts of the country.
Besides, some participants in the scheme don’t believe that the scheme is still relevant in today’s Nigeria considering the preference given to children of affluent Nigerians and politicians in the mobilisation of corps members. While the children of highly privileged Nigerians serve in high priority states such as Lagos, Rivers and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the children of ordinary Nigerians are posted anywhere, including insecure states. Even the children of the ‘big men’ do not complete the service year, yet they collect their discharge certificates.
Despite the shortcomings of the scheme, some patriotic Nigerians, who still want the scheme to continue, have called for its reformation. They also want the security of the corps members to be given priority attention. It is their firm belief that no Nigerian youth should die while serving in the scheme due to insecurity or politically motivated killings.
Reforming the scheme will involve paying corps members commensurate allowance that will adequately take care of them. For the scheme to still be relevant in 21st century Nigeria, there is need to review its objectives in line with our current realities.