25th May, 2023
By: Amir Abdulazeez
Nigeria is among the leading countries in Africa and the world that have invested so much on national integration over the last 50 years. For the past 10 years, I have been opportune to study different efforts by African, Asian and South American countries towards national unity. For example, Rwanda has achieved a lot with some of its post-genocide reconciliatory schemes. In Nigeria, the NYSC is one policy that has stood the test of time. Although the Nigerian diversity and complexity has proven to be beyond the capacity of the scheme to contain, NYSC had done well by navigating through these years.
This week, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) marked its 50th anniversary. It was established in 1973 by the government of General Yakubu Gowon as an aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War. Over the years, the NYSC has become a household symbol and integral part of Nigerian national life. Different families and institutions produce young graduates from different parts of the country who come together to serve their fatherland. They are exposed to diverse cultures and traditions, which promotes understanding and national unity. The scheme has also helped to promote socio-economic development in rural areas, where most corps members are deployed to serve.
The achievements of the NYSC over the past 50 years are numerous. It has produced thousands of corps members who have excelled in various fields of endeavor. Many of them have become successful entrepreneurs, leading politicians, respected academics, and high-ranking civil servants. From one batch of corps members per year, it has now become three batches of multiple streams every year. The scheme is believed by many to have contributed significantly to nation-building by promoting the values of unity, patriotism, and selflessness among Nigerian youths.
NYSC is a unique program that sets it apart from other national service programs in the world. One of the unique aspects of the NYSC program is that it requires all Nigerian graduates to participate, regardless of their social status, religion, or ethnicity. This creates a level playing field where everyone is given an opportunity to serve their country and gain experience. Another unique feature of the NYSC program is that it involves a three-week orientation course for participants, which is held in a campsite away from their homes. During the orientation course, participants are exposed to different cultures, beliefs, traditions, and languages of Nigeria. To some extent, this helps to foster tolerance, understanding and a sense of belonging among participants.
NYSC also promotes national development through its activities. Corps members are posted to different parts of Nigeria to work in various sectors, including education, health, agriculture, and infrastructural development. The program helps to address manpower shortages in rural areas, which helps to bridge the gap between urban and rural development. Furthermore, the NYSC program provides an opportunity for Nigerian graduates to acquire new skills, develop leadership qualities, and gain work experience. This helps to boost their employability and increase their chances of becoming successful in their chosen fields.
However, there have been some challenges over the years. Fifty years after, the achievements of NYSC still look more abstract and vague than tangible and substantial; meaning that Nigeria is yet to see the real impact of the scheme on national development. Some critics have argued that it has outlived its usefulness and is no longer necessary. They claim that the country should by now move beyond the era of national integration and that the resources invested in the NYSC could be better utilized in other areas. Some believe that the NYSC has proven unable to achieve its objectives. Infact, it has started compounding some of the very problems it was initially established to address. In addition to this, there are specific challenges troubling the NYSC.
One of the most significant issues facing the NYSC is security. Over the years, corps members have been victims of various forms of violence, including kidnappings, armed robbery, and assaults. Many parts of the country are considered unsafe for corps members, and this has resulted in the loss of lives and property. The frequent plying of dangerous roads by corps members is another issue. Many young and promising Nigerians have been wasted in the course of serving during the scheme.
Another critical issue is corruption. The NYSC is receiving funding and support from the Federal and State governments as well as some corporate organizations. Despite huge sums of money being budgeted for the scheme, there is lack of essential facilities and resources, including adequate accommodation, transportation, and medical services. Some corps members have been forced to sleep in unfurnished classrooms, while others have to travel long distances to access health care services. In addition, corrupt NYSC officials have rubbished the scheme by conniving with corps members who don’t wish to stay and serve. Allegations of favouritism in posting corps members to lucrative areas of primary assignments in exchange for bribes are everywhere.
After several years of existence, many of the orientation camps lack basic amenities such as electricity, water supply, and sanitation facilities. This has resulted in unsanitary conditions that have led to outbreaks of diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid. There is a need for the government to invest in upgrading the facilities at the orientation camps and ensure that they meet the required standards.
Lack of community support due to ethnic and religious factors and degradation of the once existing respect and welcoming attitude towards corps members have demoralized many. I remember during our days as corps member in Osun State, some of our colleagues were treated woefully by people who supposed to protect them. Low morale among corps members have thus become a significant challenge. Many corps members are dissatisfied with their conditions of service, including inadequate allowances, harsh living conditions, and poor treatment by some government officials. This has resulted in a decline in the motivation levels of some corps members, which affects their performance and contribution to national development.
Over the years, there have been different criticisms against the NYSC. Many stakeholders and volunteers have made proposals on how the scheme can be reformed. To be fair to the handlers of the scheme, there have been a lot of innovations and improvements over the last 10 years. However, there is still much left to be done. NYSC's 50th anniversary presents an opportunity for reflection and celebration. The Federal Government should sit down with stakeholders and conduct a critical review of the scheme and address its challenges. It should receive all the necessary adjustments and modifications that will make it truly impacting on national development and mechanisms should be introduced to measure and evaluate its performance.
On a general note, for the NYSC and any other scheme to succeed in Nigeria, our leaders must have to change their attitudes. While the scheme is working to integrate the country, our leaders are working to divide it for political advantage. While ordinary Nigerians are asked to serve their country with all their strengths, their leaders are serving themselves and their families with all our wealth. While our corps member are told in camp to be good and responsible citizens, their leaders are openly stealing the wealth meant for the betterment of the future. We cannot succeed this way and in a situation like this, no scheme can achieve national integration, not even the NYSC.
Twitter: @AmirAbdulazeez
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