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By Lawrence Agbo
Chairman of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Governing Board, Hillard Etta, has explained that the Federal Government’s proposed reforms are designed to reposition the scheme from a platform focused solely on national unity to one that also equips young Nigerians with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS, Etta said the NYSC, established in 1973 after the Nigerian Civil War to promote national integration, must now evolve to meet the country’s changing economic realities.
“The scheme was established to engender unity and cohesiveness after the civil war. More than five decades later, government is now looking at whether it is possible to use this same platform for economic development and youth empowerment,” he said.
According to Etta, the reforms seek to address the growing challenge of graduate unemployment by equipping corps members with skills that are relevant in today’s labour market.
He noted that many graduates leave tertiary institutions without the practical knowledge employers require, making skill acquisition a key component of the proposed changes.
“Most graduates from our tertiary institutions have become unemployable because many of the courses being offered do not provide the skills required for today’s world,” he said.
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The NYSC Governing Board chairman said the revamped programme would place greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, leadership development, artificial intelligence, information and communication technology (ICT), and vocational training to prepare participants for both paid employment and self-employment.
On security, Etta assured prospective corps members that the government would not deploy them to conflict-prone areas, stressing that efforts were also being intensified to improve security across the country.
He further disclosed that corps members interested in entrepreneurship would be encouraged to access funding through the Nigerian Youth Fund to establish businesses after completing the service year.
Etta also called for the modernisation of NYSC orientation camps, urging stronger collaboration between the Federal and state governments to upgrade facilities and make them suitable for digital learning.
“If all the camps become smart camps and ICT-compliant, acquiring knowledge in technology and artificial intelligence will become much easier for corps members,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the reforms would strengthen the NYSC’s role in promoting national development while empowering young Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.
