The minister of youth development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim has said that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) would be restructured to meet the demands of the future.

The minister said a team to undertake the review, restructuring, and reforms of the NYSC would be inaugurated soon.

She stated this at the opening ceremony of the maiden meeting of NYSC management with heads of corps-producing institutions in Nigeria, in Abuja on Monday.

The minister also announced that over 5,000 corps members will have their entrepreneurial ventures funded with close to N10 million.

She said: “Permit me to inform us very briefly that on what is to come regarding NYSC reforms. I’m pleased to announce that I will be inaugurating a team to undertake the review, restructuring, and reforms of the NYSC. The first of these reforms will be centred on reviewing participants with an entrepreneurship mindset and making skills development a core of the programme.

“The NYSC already does that but the objective is to work with them to strengthen what that mandate that they already have more efficient, effective, and beneficiary.

“So we envision a future where the NYSC programmes are not only self-sustained but also a revenue-generating programme within the next five years and to achieve this, we will institutionalise the NYSC ventures as an investment and asset management outfit.

“Furthermore, as part of the Nigeria youth investment fund programme for 2024, I’m also pleased to announce that at least 5,000 corps members will have their entrepreneurial ventures funded with upto N10 million passing out.”

Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Yushau’ Ahmed, while welcoming the heads of corps-producing institutions, said the meeting aimed at enhancing the mobilisation process of prospective corps members.

Ahmed said the meeting, which is a follow-up to a previous one with heads of corps-producing institutions in West African countries, aims to evolve strategies for eliminating identified flaws and ensuring a more seamless mobilisation process.

“We have identified some obstacles, including the delegation of roles to subordinates, and we believe that the direct involvement of chief executives of institutions will promote a deeper appreciation of issues and ensure desired results,” Ahmed added.

He also reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to the security and general welfare of corps members, appealing to corps-producing institutions, parents, and the general public to complement efforts in sensitising young graduates on call-up for national service.

The DG said: “We urge you to use all available avenues to complement our efforts in sensitizing young graduates on call-up for national service to avoid traveling at night when reporting to their states of deployment.”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Nyesom Wike commended the decision of the NYSC to bring critical stakeholders together to brainstorm on the best strategies for greater success, which aligns perfectly with the contemporary global best practices for achieving desired results.

He praised the NYSC’s efforts to enhance its operations through technology-driven approaches and urged the participants to actively contribute to the meeting’s success.

Wike, who was represented by the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCT Administration, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi said: “The NYSC has consistently symbolised our collective commitment to national development, unity, and integration. However, like any other human endeavour, we are aware that the Scheme faces challenges, including those posed by the mobilisation process. In this regard, the need for the adoption of innovative strategies to surmount challenges and enhance best practices for the engagement of our young graduates in national development efforts cannot be overemphasized.

“It is gratifying to note that the Scheme is focused on enhancing the efficiency of its operation, especially through the adoption of technology-driven approaches in data collation and processing for mobilisation and deployment purposes. I encourage you to continue to optimise the IT solutions for accuracy and greater efficiency.

“I am aware that this meeting is maiden and a crucial step in addressing critical issues about the effective implementation of operational policies of the NYSC Scheme. I commend the decision of the NYSC to periodically bring critical stakeholders together to brainstorm on the best strategies for greater success, which aligns perfectly with the contemporary global best practices for achieving desired results. I therefore urge you all to participate actively and offer insightful contributions as you navigate the path ahead. At the end of the day, I am confident that this all-important engagement will be paving way for a more responsive, efficient, and impactful National Youth Service Corps.

“I consider it appropriate to use this forum to express appreciation for the enormous contributions of Corps Members deployed to serve in the Territory, especially in key sectors such as health and education. On our part, we will continue to accord priority to the security and general welfare of the Corps members.” (The Nation)

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