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By Bimbola Oyesola
Against the backdrop of the recent inauguration of committee for the reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme,
PROMAD Infotech Foundation, a leading civic tech and youth development organisation, tasked the Federal Government to release terms of reference that would guide the committee’s operations.
Recall that last week, the Minister for Youth Development, Mr Ayo Wisdom Olawande and the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiah Hadiza Bala Usman, inaugurated the NYSC Reform Committee in Abuja.
While commending the Federal Government on the inauguration of the committee, For PROMAD said “we believe that the effort was a significant response to the pressing concerns our organisation raised in our advocacy videos released on March 24th and 27th, 2025, and indeed, many credible Nigerians.”
The organization noted that it in its previous public appeal, it has drawn the attention of government to several pressing concerns within the NYSC scheme, including inadequate allowances amidst rising living costs, delayed implementation of minimum wage adjustments, and serious security challenges faced by corps members.
“Most disturbingly, we highlighted the case of eight prospective corps members from Southern Nigeria who were kidnapped in Zamfara State while traveling to their orientation camp in Sokoto—a tragic example of the government’s previous inadequacies to protect the youth who are serving the nation,” it stated.
PROMAD said it was optimistic that the inauguration of the committee suggests that Nigerians collective voices have been heard. However, it noted that, “this must translate into concrete actions as millions of Nigerian youth deserve better while serving their father’s land.”
PROMAD viewed the committee’s inauguration as a first step in what must be a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC scheme. “While we commend the government for the initiative, we call on the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to release the terms of reference (ToR) set for the committee,” it added.
It also charged that the success of the reform process will be judged by its outcomes, not its announcements.
The association called on the Reform Committee to address the following priorities:
“The development of a robust security framework and protocols to protect corps members, particularly those posted to high-risk areas.
“Create institutional support systems that provide meaningful professional development and entrepreneurial opportunities, such as reviewing and scaling the SAED programme to offer post-service support for corps members who embrace entrepreneurship.”
It also advocated for the establishment of accountability mechanisms that prevent the misappropriation of resources intended for corps members’ welfare, especially during orientation programmes.
“The quality of camps and food being served during orientation courses must be improved,” adding that ensuring corps members’ fundamental rights to freedom of expression without fear of intimidation or reprisal must be guaranteed.”
While the NYSC deployment and redeployment policy should be revisited.
Stressing that the reformation of NYSC must be comprehensive and sincere, PROMAD said it would be monitoring the process closely to ensure it is not abandoned midway or hijacked by officials seeking to preserve the status quo. “This reform presents an opportunity to transform NYSC into a true vehicle for national unity, nation-building, youth empowerment, community service and skills development,” it said maintaining the association’s commitment to advocating for the interests of Nigerian youth.
“We stand ready to constructively engage with the NYSC Reform Committee and other stakeholders to ensure that the process results in a modernised NYSC Scheme that truly serves the nation’s development objectives and meets the evolving needs of young Nigerians while on national service.”
It however urged all stakeholders, corps members, media, civil society organisations, and concerned citizens to engage in the reform process.
“Together, we can ensure that the initiative delivers the intended transformation,” it maintained.
