Security, safety must come first in NYSC deployments – Ekhomu

By Uche Okobi

As concerns grow over the safety of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members amid Nigeria’s security challenges, discussions have intensified on balancing national integration with the protection of young graduates. President Bola Tinubu’s directive that corps members be deployed across all states has generated mixed reactions from security experts and stakeholders.

In this interview, Dr. Victoria Ekhomu, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Transworld Security, president of the School of Management & Security, and president of the Association of Industrial Security & Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), examines the implications of the policy and recommends a dynamic, risk-based deployment framework.

President Tinubu has directed that NYSC members be deployed to states, including those facing security challenges. What is your assessment of this decision, considering the current security situation in parts of the country?

The National Youth Service Corps remains one of Nigeria’s most important nation-building programmes. It has played a significant role in promoting national integration, cultural understanding and unity among young Nigerians. While these objectives remain commendable, the safety and security of corps members must always come first.

Deploying corps members to states facing security challenges should only be considered after a thorough, professional and evidence-based security risk assessment. Security realities differ across the country. Some states experience isolated incidents that can be effectively managed through strong security arrangements, while others continue to battle terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and violent crime.

Deployment decisions should, therefore, not be based on broad geographical classifications but on current intelligence, continuous threat assessments and the government’s proven capacity to provide adequate protection. Since security conditions are constantly changing, deployment policies must remain flexible enough to respond accordingly.

Ultimately, the pursuit of national integration should never come at the expense of the lives and wellbeing of Nigeria’s young graduates.

As a security analyst, what are the potential security implications of this policy for the NYSC scheme, host communities and the corps members themselves?

If not properly implemented, the policy could have far-reaching consequences.

For corps members, there is an increased risk of kidnapping, terrorist attacks, armed robbery, communal violence and psychological trauma. Such incidents could discourage participation in the scheme while creating anxiety among parents and guardians.

For the NYSC, any major security breach involving corps members could erode public confidence in the programme and fuel renewed calls for reforms or restructuring.

Host communities also stand to lose. Corps members make valuable contributions to education, healthcare, agriculture and community development. If their safety cannot be guaranteed, communities may be deprived of these benefits, while security incidents involving corps members could further strain local security resources.

To minimise these risks, the government should strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance collaboration among security agencies, establish rapid emergency response mechanisms, provide secure accommodation, and ensure regular security briefings for corps members. Technology, including GPS-enabled emergency reporting systems and dedicated communication channels, should also be incorporated into the NYSC security architecture.

In your view, should the NYSC continue to exempt certain areas from deployment, or is it time to review the policy in light of evolving security realities? Why?

The policy should certainly be reviewed not to automatically deploy corps members everywhere, but to adopt a more dynamic and risk-based deployment framework.

Rather than classifying entire states as either safe or unsafe, the government should assess individual local government areas through regular security evaluations conducted by intelligence and security agencies. Some areas within a state may be secure enough for deployment, while others may remain too dangerous and should continue to be excluded.

This approach allows the NYSC to pursue its national integration mandate while fulfilling its duty of care to corps members.

Deployment decisions should also be reviewed periodically to reflect changing security realities. Where threats escalate, deployment should be suspended immediately. Conversely, where security conditions improve, previously restricted areas may be reconsidered.

The overriding principle must always be that no Nigerian youth should be exposed to avoidable danger. Every corps member deserves to serve the nation in an environment where reasonable measures have been taken to safeguard life and property. A secure NYSC programme is essential not only for protecting corps members but also for preserving public confidence in one of Nigeria’s most enduring national institutions.