By Boluwatife Adedokun
When the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu Alausa, proposed extending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme from one to two years, he might have expected applause, but what he got was a resounding backlash from the very people it would affect.
For many Nigerian graduates, the one-year mandatory service is already a burden.
The proposal, which came during a visit by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, also included calls for expanded skill acquisition training and more corps teachers in rural schools.
But for corps members currently serving or those who have recently passed out, the reaction has been near-unanimous: No.
“This is not what we signed up for”
“Two years? No way!” said Ayodele Sofola, currently serving in Lagos.
“It’s already hard enough surviving on N33,000 before, and even with the so-called increase to N77,000, it still doesn’t mean much in today’s Nigeria.”
Adedokun Eunice, a corps member in Osun State, also kicked against the proposal “Spending two years is like pressing pause on our lives. After that, we’re still the ones to fend for ourselves in this harsh economy. What’s the guarantee of employment after those extra 12 months?”
She added, “Even with the raise to 77k, the inflation has swallowed it. Something we used to buy for N30 when they started earning N33k now sells for N70. Mathematically, it’s like we’re still on N33k.”
Also, Boluwatife Ajibade, serving in Edo State, didn’t mince words either: “This scheme should not be prolonged. It should be restructured to be more impactful and even optional. We’re not in the military.”
A history of hardship
Before the increase to N77,000 earlier this year, corps members had long lamented poor pay, unsafe accommodations, and lack of proper healthcare during service.
In several investigations and reports, corps members revealed how many borrowed money to survive or took on side hustles just to make ends meet.
For instance, Premium Times in this 2023 report highlighted unpaid allowances and delayed certifications, while The Guardian revealed in this 2022 piece that some members in camps did not even receive basic stipends.
“Reform, not extension” — online reactions
Social media was ablaze with reactions following the minister’s suggestion.
Adewale Oluwaseun wrote: “You want to make them unemployable? Most companies won’t even hire you once you’re above 30. Now with this plan, people will finish NYSC at 31+.”
Joshua Musoe also said, “Give every graduate 2 million to sort themselves out. That would be the game-changer.”
Another Facebook user, Ogbonna Chukwu, said, “The minister should be talking about scrapping NYSC, not extending it.”
Vandefan Izaak added: “If I had the powers, I’d replace NYSC with trade acquisition from 100 level to graduation and provide funds to kickstart businesses.”
Who really benefits?
Many Facebook users raised suspicions about the motivation behind the extension. “Most of those advocating for this never did NYSC themselves,” Bolaji Dada said. “They’re only benefitting from the system now.”
Others like Eruosanyin Samuel questioned the logic of extending a scheme the government already struggles to fund, “The same government that finds it hard to pay 77k now wants to stretch it over two years?”
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