The Federal Government has announced a significant policy shift, removing all restrictions on the posting of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to private sector organizations.
In a memo issued by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, it was revealed that the new directive would take effect with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation Course. Olawande explained that the move is part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader strategy to combat youth unemployment by ensuring government policies align with his administration’s vision for economic growth.
Under the previous policy, which was implemented during the tenure of former Minister Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, corps members were limited to postings in four sectors: education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure. This approach aimed to prevent the exploitation of corps members as cheap labor by private companies, while fostering growth in public sector institutions. However, the government recognized that the policy restricted corps members’ ability to gain relevant experience in their fields of study, leaving many ill-prepared for the job market.
With the lifting of these restrictions, the government aims to provide corps members with more opportunities to develop practical skills that align with their academic backgrounds, thus improving their employability. The policy is also expected to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors, helping to bridge the skills gap and address the unemployment crisis.
Key aspects of the new policy include:
– The lifting of all previous restrictions on postings.
– Aligning corps members’ postings with their areas of study, where feasible.
– Enabling postings to select banks and other private sector organizations, including those in the oil and gas industries, beginning with Abuja and Lagos.
This directive will take effect with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation Course and applies to all matters concerning the posting and assignment of corps members.
The memo concluded that the former policy had significantly hampered corps members’ ability to gather relevant experience, which is crucial for their success in the job market.
