10 Ways to Improve NYSC in Nigeria

Ways to Improve NYSC in Nigeria – In 1973, General Yakubu Gowon set up the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a one-year compulsory program for all university and polytechnic graduates. He did this to foster unity among the diverse groups in the nation after the civil war.Information Guide Nigeria

After he left office, things started deteriorating. Today, some Nigerians are calling for a total scrapping of the programme. Others are calling for a review of the programme. This author belongs to the school of thought that opines on the review of the programme for improvement.

As such, he is suggesting ten ways to improve the NYSC programme in Nigeria. The ten ways include:

• Improve NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Department (SAED)
• Remove charges
• Prohibit relocation
• Inculcate discipline
• Project-oriented NYSC
• Secure corps members
• Shun tribalism
• Transparency
• Provide jobs
• Shun corruption10 Ways to Improve NYSC in Nigeria

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Ways of Improving Nigerian NYSC

1. Improve NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Department (SAED)

A notable Nigerian once said that there are jobs in Nigeria. What is lacking in Nigerian youths are the skills needed to do the available jobs. This statement implies that the Nigerian educational system has nothing good for Nigerian youths. The years they spend in the universities and polytechnics are wasted years.

Coming to the NYSC programme, it promises to train the youths in skills acquisition. Yet, NYSC officials only use it to siphon funds from corps members without inculcating any skills into them. A result is a group of youths who are neither useful to themselves nor society. Therefore, to improve NYSC in Nigeria, NYSC officials should make sure they improve the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship programme for effectiveness.

2. Remove Charges

One mistake that the government is making is charging corps members various charges. Remember the government wants them to serve their fatherland. Why then should the same government charge them for doing so?

Note that was the service year optional, nobody would apply. The experience of most corps members is negative. From going to remote villages to being rejected and redeployed, nobody wants to experience almost everything that goes on in the service year.20 Best Vitamin C Face Serum in Nigeria and their Prices

Therefore, making corps members pay all the charges that NYSC officials subject these youths to is adding insult to injury. For these reasons, to improve NYSC in Nigeria, the Federal Government should remove all the charges levied on corps members.

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3. Prohibit Relocation

What goes on among corps members in the NYSC service year is appalling.  Some of them reject themselves and appeal for relocation. Others bribe NYSC officials for relocation. Therefore, to improve NYSC in Nigeria, NYSC officials should prohibit relocation.20 Best External Hard Drives in Nigeria and their Prices

4. Inculcate Discipline

Inculcating discipline in Nigerian youths is one of the reasons General Yakubu Gowon established the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). After him, discipline died in the service. Therefore, to improve NYSC in Nigeria, the organisers of the program today should go back to inculcating discipline in Nigerian youths. Recall that these youths are the leaders of tomorrow in Nigeria.

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5. Project-Oriented NYSC

To many corps members, the NYSC service year is a mere waste of time since they do not practice what they learnt in school. Imagine a graduate of Electrical Engineering going to a primary school in a remote village to teach. What will he learn from his experience that will aid him in the practice of Electrical Engineering?

Reports have it that corps members learn how to weave baskets in their entrepreneurship skills lessons. All these things help neither the youths nor the nation. The NYSC service year was originally designed for the development of the country. For this reason, to improve NYSC in Nigeria, NYSC organisers should make the service year project-oriented. Let corps members become inventors. Let them come up with ideas that can move Nigeria forward. Old ideas can no longer help Nigeria. Let us give the youths the chance of being innovative.

6. Secure Corps Members

Many corps members have lost their lives due to insecurity in Nigeria. It is a great loss for families to lose a youth in the family during youth service after surviving the university years. Therefore, corps members need security.

To secure NYSC members, let states build lodges for corps members. Those who request corps members should arrange secure accommodation for them. The idea of corps members looking for accommodation here and there and paying for the same is not encouraging.NYSC Portal

It is a good idea for corps members to live together in groups for the improvement of their security. NYSC officials should always introduce corps members to the traditional rulers of the areas where the corps members are serving and ask for their protection. Thus, to improve NYSC in Nigeria, NYSC organisers should secure corps members.

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7. Shun Tribalism

One thing that is destroying the NYSC scheme in Nigeria is tribalism. NYSC officials always favour those who come from the same place as them. The NYSC scheme aims to make youths serve away from their states. Nevertheless, you see a situation where people put their tribe members at home without challenge.

Such a practice is a hindrance to achieving the aims of the service year. Patriotism demands that all Nigerian citizens receive equal treatment. Thus, to improve NYSC in Nigeria, NYSC officials must shun tribalism

8. Transparency

NYSC organisers should note that they are dealing with the future leaders of Nigeria. Therefore, they should show corps members transparency and accountability. What corps members learn from these officials, they are likely to practice in their offices when they get jobs.105 Good Morning My Love Messages

Equity demands that the NYSC officials train corps members on what would give them the power to develop this country not what would destroy it. Youths learn from what they witness and experience from their elders. Thus, to improve NYSC in Nigeria, the organisers of the scheme should be transparent in their dealings with corps members.

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9. Provide Jobs

The problem of Nigerian school leavers is not the NYSC. It is where they would get jobs after they finish their service year. With the look of things, neither the university system nor the NYSC scheme has anything to offer those who graduate from the universities and the polytechnics.

It is for this reason that some Nigerians are calling for a review of the NYSC scheme. How they wish that the entrepreneurship training that these youths received in the camp can make them self-employed.

To worsen things for these youths, some of them serve where they have nothing relating to their discipline. They have no chance of upgrading their knowledge. Therefore, to improve NYSC in Nigeria, the Federal Government, the state governments, and well-meaning Nigerians should provide corps members jobs when they finish their service year.200 Romantic Love Message for her

10. Shun Corruption

Corruption is one thing that is militating against the improvement of NYSC in Nigeria. It is appalling that NYSC officials receive a bribe from corps members to send them to their favourite places in their primary assignment. Some corps members give NYSC officials money to skip the service year entirely.

Coming to those who request the services of corps members, unless they bribe NYSC officials, they do not receive corps members. Sometimes, they send corps members to the highest bidder. Indeed, corruption is the order of the day in the NYSC scheme. Therefore, to improve NYSC in Nigeria, NYSC officials should shun corruption.

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Conclusion

General Yakubu Gowon’s intention in establishing the NYSC scheme was a laudable one. However, today organisers of the NYSC scheme have deviated from his intentions. The intentions are now in principles and not in practice.Jamb Portal

Some Nigerians may then be right in calling for the review of the NYSC program. Thus, NYSC organisers should try to improve the NYSC program in Nigeria.

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