JUST IN: Federal Government Lifts NYSC Posting Restrictions to Align with Course of Study

In a surprising move, the Federal Government has recently made a significant change to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posting policy, which is expected to impact thousands of young Nigerian graduates. A directive, issued on November 18, 2024, by the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, outlines that starting from the upcoming 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course, corps members will now be posted in line with their course of study.

This new policy comes after years of following a posting guideline that restricted NYSC members to four key sectors: Education, Agriculture, Health, and Infrastructure. This limitation, introduced under the former Minister Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, aimed to prioritize essential public sectors while curbing reliance on cheap labor in the private sector. However, it often meant that corps members could not serve in areas related to their academic training, leaving many feeling unprepared for the job market.

Minister Olawande, in the memo directed to the NYSC Director-General, emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is keen on addressing youth unemployment—a growing concern across the nation. According to the minister, President Tinubu’s vision involves aligning all ministries, agencies, and parastatals to contribute to reducing unemployment, making this policy change a crucial step in achieving that goal.

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The minister acknowledged that while the previous policy had merits, it also presented challenges for corps members who sought specialized training in their areas of study. With this latest directive, the government aims to open up opportunities for graduates to gain practical experience in fields that are directly connected to their courses, potentially making them more competitive in the labor market.

A key element of the revised posting guideline is the inclusion of private sector organizations, starting with selected banks and companies in the oil and gas industry. These changes will initially roll out in Abuja and Lagos, two major economic hubs in Nigeria.

By revoking all prior restrictions, the Federal Government hopes to broaden the horizons for young graduates, allowing them to build careers with a solid foundation in their chosen fields. This shift in policy is not only seen as a strategy to boost the employability of graduates but also as a part of the broader efforts to integrate NYSC with national development goals.

Further updates and details about the policy can be found in the official release.

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