Olatunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, has proposed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme should be extended from one year to two years.
This suggestion was disclosed in an official statement shared on NYSC’s Facebook page, following a meeting between the minister and the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the ministry’s office in Abuja.
During his speech, Alausa emphasized the need to strengthen the NYSC initiative, with particular attention on its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Training.
He suggested that the duration of national service be increased to two years so that corps members can acquire more valuable skills and practical experience.
“The minister also advocated for the extension of national service from one to two years, with the expansion of NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Training programme content for corps members,” the statement read.
Alausa commended the NYSC for the progress made so far and encouraged the organization to expand its efforts in turning graduates into job creators who can address the nation’s workforce demands.
“You have done so well as an organization. Let NYSC give people more opportunity to become job creators that will meet the needs of the country“, Alausa said.
He further addressed the issue of inadequate teachers in rural schools, urging that more graduate teachers should be deployed to underserved regions to close the gap in manpower.
Alausa also applauded the NYSC for its actions in curbing certificate fraud, especially concerning graduates who studied abroad.
He praised the NYSC’s move to digitize the mobilization process, noting that it improves accountability and transparency while tackling fraudulent activities.
“The NYSC has done well in resolving the issue of OND part-time graduates with full-time HND qualifications who were previously exempted from national service,” he remarked, acknowledging their role in addressing this ongoing issue.
The minister also explained that the Ministry of Education is working on digitizing the verification process for foreign-trained graduates of Nigerian origin.
He added that the ministry would continue its collaboration with the NYSC to enhance the educational system and contribute to national progress.
In his remarks during the visit, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu appreciated the ministry’s efforts in reforming education and proposed the creation of a comprehensive database of Nigerians studying overseas to help identify fake certificates and reduce credential fraud.
“NYSC is ready to comply with policy guidelines as directed by the Federal Government. We are also trying to reform the scheme to conform to the present national needs,” Nafiu said.
Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, confirmed that the Ministry will strengthen its partnership with NYSC to raise education standards across the country.
