Stakeholders have called on former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), and other former Nigerian presidents to intervene in the ongoing discussions surrounding proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), warning that any major changes should preserve the scheme’s founding objectives and national significance.
The appeal comes amid growing debates over the future of the NYSC, with various groups advocating reforms aimed at improving participants’ welfare, security, and overall effectiveness. While many Nigerians agree that the scheme requires modernization, stakeholders insist that reforms should strengthen rather than weaken its role in promoting national unity and integration.
Speaking on the issue, concerned groups described the NYSC as one of Nigeria’s most enduring nation-building institutions since its establishment in 1973 under the administration of General Gowon. They argued that the scheme has helped foster cultural understanding among young graduates by encouraging them to serve in states outside their regions of origin.
The stakeholders urged Gowon and other former leaders who played significant roles in shaping Nigeria’s political and social development to lend their voices to ongoing conversations about the future of the programme. According to them, the experience and influence of elder statesmen could help ensure that proposed reforms align with the original vision of national cohesion while addressing current challenges.
They also emphasized the need for the Federal Government to prioritize the safety of corps members, improve accommodation and welfare packages, expand skills acquisition programmes, and create stronger partnerships with the private sector to enhance post-service employment opportunities.
