A group of Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates with part-time National Diploma (ND) backgrounds staged a peaceful protest on Monday at the Lagos National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) secretariat, condemning a proposed policy that could exclude them from participating in the NYSC scheme.

Carrying placards with messages such as “Say No to Discrimination in NYSC” and “Equal Rights for All,” the protesters demanded an immediate reversal of the policy as the Batch C Stream II registration commenced.

Majaro Temitope, an HND graduate from Yaba College of Technology, described the policy as discriminatory and unfair to those who transitioned from part-time ND programmes to full-time HND studies.

“Many of us struggled through our ND on part-time, only to face exclusion now. We hope our peaceful protest sparks a dialogue,” Temitope said, urging the NYSC Director-General and the Minister of Education to intervene.

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The demonstrators said they had written to relevant authorities, including the NYSC and JAMB, but had yet to receive a response.

Adebola Osunfunrewa, a representative of the Education Rights Campaign, called the proposed exclusion a setback for Nigeria’s educational system.

“How can over 3,000 graduates eager to serve be denied in a country facing teacher shortages?” Osunfunrewa questioned, urging authorities to reconsider the policy.

In response, Lagos NYSC Coordinator Christiana Salwang, represented by Assistant Director Ehimuenma Itohan, assured the protesters that their concerns had been forwarded to the NYSC Director-General.

“The director general is reviewing the matter and is committed to addressing your grievances within policy guidelines,” Itohan said, urging the protesters to remain calm.

As the mobilisation process continues, the affected graduates await a decision on their eligibility to serve.

Age remains a key determinant of eligibility for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Nigeria, as outlined in Section 2 of the NYSC Act.

According to the Act, Nigerian graduates, whether from local or foreign institutions, are eligible to participate in the scheme as long as they graduate before their 30th birthday.

For those above the age limit, the NYSC issues an Exemption Letter, which serves as a legal equivalent to the NYSC discharge certificate required for employment in Nigeria.

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However, contrary to popular belief, turning 30 does not automatically disqualify graduates from the scheme. Situations such as academic strikes or administrative delays in mobilization may extend a graduate’s eligibility, provided they completed their academic program before their 30th birthday.

This provision ensures fairness, acknowledging challenges that may delay enlistment but do not diminish the graduate’s qualification to serve.

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has announced an upcoming increase in the monthly allowance for corps members to N77,000.

Ahmed made this revelation in Abuja while commissioning a staff bus donated by Capital Express Insurance Company. He confirmed that arrangements for the new allowance have been finalised, marking a significant step towards improving the welfare of corps members.

In his remarks, the NYSC DG reiterated his commitment to the welfare and security of corps members, assuring them that by 2025, they will receive all the benefits they are entitled to under the new national minimum wage structure.

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It should be noted that corps members have been receiving N33,000 monthly, even after President Bola Tinubu signed the new national minimum wage bill into law in July 2024.

The newly commissioned staff bus aims to alleviate transportation challenges faced by NYSC staff, a gesture Ahmed described as timely and impactful. He acknowledged the daily struggles faced by staff and corps members in commuting to their places of work.

This development is expected to bring relief and motivation to corps members, while further strengthening the NYSC’s commitment to their welfare and productivity.

The Project Implementation Committee (PIC), a partnership between Silicon Valley Nigeria Economic Development (SV-NED Inc. USA/SV-NED Energy Ltd) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has been inaugurated in Abuja.

This collaboration, supported by foreign investors, aims to accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth, skills development, and job creation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking at the ceremony, HRH Queen Mother Amb. Amina Temitope Labinjo Ajayi, popularly known as “Mama Diaspora” and Chairman of SV-NED Inc. USA/SV-NED Energy Ltd, described the initiative as a transformative step toward empowering Nigerian youth and fostering national unity.

“The inauguration of this committee is a strategic milestone. The partnership supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through initiatives such as the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion Centre and affordable housing projects,” said Amb. Ajayi.

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She further emphasized the commitment of SV-NED and NYSC to providing the leadership needed to ensure the successful execution of these projects, highlighting their potential to create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth.

NYSC’s Role in National Development

The NYSC Director-General, represented by the Director of Legal Services, underscored the importance of the collaboration in equipping corps members with industry-relevant knowledge, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

“This initiative extends beyond the traditional NYSC primary assignments, enabling corps members to gain critical skills for economic participation,” the Director-General’s representative noted.

Dignitaries and Housing Development Plans

The inauguration attracted prominent dignitaries, including Momoh Mohammed, NYSC Director of Ventures; Mr. Christopher Ogar, NYSC Director of Legal Services; Mr. Kehinde Aremu, NYSC Director of Sales; and Engr. Kamaru Busari, Director of Upstream at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Amb. Ajayi also unveiled ambitious housing plans under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. As part of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, SV-NED is set to tackle Nigeria’s housing deficit by constructing 10,112 housing units.

A Commitment to Economic Growth

The ceremony concluded with stakeholders pledging to collaborate on achieving the partnership’s goals, positioning it as a model for sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

This milestone initiative is expected to deliver far-reaching benefits, including the empowerment of youth, the promotion of affordable housing, and the diversification of Nigeria’s economic landscape.