OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA ON THE NEED TO SCRAP THE NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS (NYSC) SCHEME To: The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The National Assembly, And All Relevant Stakeholders. Subject: Call for the Abolition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme

OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA ON THE NEED TO SCRAP THE NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS (NYSC) SCHEME

To:

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

The National Assembly,

And All Relevant Stakeholders.

Subject: Call for the Abolition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme

Dear Sir/Madam,

We write as concerned parents and law abiding Nigerian Citizens to respectfully call for a comprehensive review and eventual abolition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme; a program established in 1973 to promote national unity and integration after the Nigerian Civil War.

While the intentions behind the creation of NYSC scheme were noble, the realities facing Nigerian Graduates today suggest that the scheme has outlived its usefulness and no longer achieves many of its original objectives.

One of the greatest concerns is the safety of corps members.

Over the years, numerous young Nigerians have lost their lives during orientation camps, road journeys to places of primary assignment, communal conflicts, terrorist attacks, kidnappings, armed robberies, and other security-related incidents.

Every loss of a young Graduate is a tragedy that raises serious questions about whether the risks associated with compulsory national service can still be justified.

Furthermore, many corps members are posted to locations where they face poor accommodation, inadequate healthcare provision, insufficient security, and difficult living conditions.

In some cases, Graduates are forced to spend their personal resources simply to survive throughout the service year.

Another major concern is unemployment. The NYSC year often delays Graduates from pursuing meaningful employment, entrepreneurship, postgraduate education, or professional certifications.
Instead of serving as a bridge to employment, the scheme frequently becomes an additional year of uncertainty for many young people especially with the unproportional “exchange posting method” of sending the southerners to the North and sending Northerners to the South. Unfortunately, the gross insecurity challenges in the Northern Nigeria has mostly affected the Southerners posted to serve there. More painful is the seeming insensitivity of the Government to bring the unpalatable insecurity situation under control and One begins to wonder if the response would have been same if the Northern Graduates posted to the South experienced such threats. This leaves much to be pondered upon. However, this alone brings the focal intention of fostering National unity through the scheme to question as the reverse has become the case.

The financial investment on the scheme by the Government is also significant. Billions of naira are spent annually on administration, camps, logistics, and allowances.

These funds could be redirected toward job creation, vocational training, entrepreneurship grants, technology hubs, educational improvements, and youth empowerment programs that would have a more lasting impact on national development.

Additionally, the objective of national integration can now be achieved through alternative means.

Modern technology, educational exchange programs, internships, volunteer opportunities, and inter-state development initiatives can foster unity without exposing young Graduates to unnecessary risks.

Nigerian youths are among its greatest assets. They deserve opportunities that prepare them for the future, enhance their employability, support innovation, and protect their lives and dignity.

Therefore, we (The Members of The Parenting Lounge and Child Safety) respectfully urge the Federal Government to:

1. Initiate a comprehensive review of the NYSC scheme.
2. Consider replacing compulsory service with voluntary national service programs.
3. Redirect NYSC funding toward youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives.
4. Develop safer and more impactful alternatives for promoting national unity.
5. Prioritize the protection, welfare, and economic advancement of Nigerian Graduates.

The future of Nigeria depends on the well-being and productivity of its young people.

Any program that places them at avoidable risk while providing diminishing benefits deserves serious reconsideration.

“How many more young Nigerians must be bastardised, raped and killed before meaningful reforms are made?

The time has come to rethink the NYSC scheme and prioritize the safety, dignity, and future of our Graduates.”

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Yours faithfully,

—

Concerned Nigerian Citizens .
The Parenting lounge and Child Safety Group.

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