Challenges Revealed: NYSC Faces Crisis as Minister Plans Massive Revamp

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has unveiled ambitious plans aimed at reshaping the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to significantly bolster Nigeria’s economic growth. Addressing the media, Olawande emphasized the necessity of broadening the program’s focus to provide a more extensive array of opportunities for the holistic development and empowerment of the nation’s youth.

Expressing concerns about the NYSC’s current limited scope, the minister highlighted the urgent need for its expansion, aligning its objectives more closely with those outlined in the national development plan.

During a recent visit to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State, Olawande engaged with the 2023 Batch C Stream 2 Corp members. He pledged sweeping changes within the NYSC framework, intending to better serve Nigeria’s youth. Stressing the importance of community involvement, Olawande urged corps members to actively engage with local governance structures during their service.

Encouraging youth participation, he asserted, “This is our moment to act; the President has provided the platform, and it’s now our responsibility to utilize it. As corps members, engaging earnestly in skill acquisition programs will greatly benefit your lives.”

Meanwhile, Abdulwahab Olayinka, the coordinator of the NYSC in Niger State, revealed the challenges plaguing the camp. With a total of 1,912 registered corps members, including both locals and transfers from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the camp faces severe inadequacies. Issues range from insufficient accommodation, deteriorating facilities, and transportation deficiencies to water infrastructure problems and ailing ambulance conditions.

Olayinka emphasized the dire need for immediate intervention to rectify these challenges, stressing their adverse effects on camp operations and the well-being of corps members. Urging swift action from the authorities, she underlined the critical necessity of addressing these issues to enhance the overall situation at the NYSC camp.