Taiwo Popoola
The Federal Government has lifted all bans on the posting of members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, creating the way for corps members to be deployed to private sector organisations.
A memo from the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the new directive will take effect with the commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course.
Olawande said the policy shift is part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader strategy to combat rising youth unemployment by ensuring government agencies align with his administration’s vision.
Recall that the previous posting policy implemented during the tenure of former Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, restricted corps members to four sectors—education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
The previous policy was designed to prevent private companies from exploiting cheap labour while promoting public sector capacity-building.
The government, however, said the restriction has limited corps members’ ability to gain relevant experience in their fields of study, leaving many ill-prepared for the job market.
According to the memo, by lifting the restrictions, the government seeks to create more opportunities for NYSC participants to acquire practical skills aligned with their educational background, enhancing their employability.
It added that the initiative aims to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors, enabling the NYSC to play a more significant role in bridging the skills gap and addressing the unemployment crisis.
“There is an urgent need to review this policy to expand the opportunity and access for corps members to serve in places that are relevant to their areas of study.
“Without prejudice to the need to constantly review per prevailing realities, I now direct as follows: Lifting of all restrictions on postings.
“Posting of corps members to, as much as practicable, be in line with their course of study.
“Posting of corps members to select banks and other private sector organisations, including those operating in oil and gas, to commence with Abuja and Lagos.
“The directive contained herein will take effect from the date of commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course and applies in relation to any matter relating to the posting and distribution of corps members to Places of Primary Assignment.
“The now revoked policy has greatly hampered experience gathering that would effectively prepare them for the job market,” the memo partly read.
