- The Federal Government has lifted the ban on NYSC members being posted to private sector organisations starting with 2024 Batch 'C'
- The policy change aims to enhance corps members’ employability by aligning postings with their academic backgrounds and professional goals
- Private sector placements, including banks and oil and gas companies, will begin in Abuja and Lagos, focusing on career-relevant roles for corps members
The Federal Government has officially lifted the long-standing ban on the posting of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to private sector organizations.
This policy change, announced on Monday, November 18, by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, is set to take effect with the commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation Course.
Olawande highlighted that this move is part of a government effort to ensure that NYSC deployment supports the administration’s vision for economic growth and employment generation.
Under the previous policy, instituted by former Youth Development Minister Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, corps members were restricted to serving in only four sectors: education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
This policy was originally designed to prevent the exploitation of cheap labor by private companies and to build public sector capacity.
However, the government acknowledged that these limitations have hindered corps members' ability to gain practical experience in their respective fields, leaving many ill-prepared for the job market.
In the newly introduced directive, Olawande explained that the lifting of these restrictions would allow corps members to serve in sectors directly relevant to their academic training, thereby enhancing their employability. The policy is also expected to promote collaboration between the public and private sectors, creating more avenues for young Nigerians to acquire real-world experience and improve their skills.
The memo further outlined that the first phase of this new policy would focus on placing corps members in selected private sector organizations, including banks and companies in the oil and gas industries, with an initial rollout in Abuja and Lagos.
The minister emphasised that these placements will be designed to align with corps members' areas of study, ensuring that the assignments are both meaningful and career-oriented.
“This is an urgent policy review to ensure that corps members are given more access to practical opportunities that are directly aligned with their education and professional goals,” Olawande said.
“By lifting all restrictions on postings, we are opening new doors for our youth to gain the experience they need to succeed in the job market.”
The previous policy, which had been in place for several years, was criticised for limiting the career prospects of NYSC members.
The new policy is set to be implemented as soon as the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course begins.
NYSC gives directive on redeployment for married female corps members
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) issued a directive to married female corps members posted away from their husbands to seek redeployment to a more suitable location.
The scheme announced this on X, formerly Twitter, in a post published on Monday, August 26.
