The Federal Government of Nigeria has lifted the restriction preventing National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from being posted to private sector organizations.
This change will now allow corps members to be posted to private companies, including banks, oil, and gas firms. The new policy directive was communicated through a memo issued by the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, dated November 18, 2024. It will take effect with the commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation exercise.
This move reverses a policy implemented during the tenure of former Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Bolaji Abdullahi. The earlier policy sought to prevent private companies from exploiting corps members as a source of cheap labor while focusing on strengthening public sector capacities. Under that policy, corps members were restricted to postings in four specific sectors: education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
Minister Olawande stated that the new directive aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s strategic plan to tackle youth unemployment by encouraging government agencies to adopt policies that align with the administration’s vision. He emphasized that this policy revision would enhance opportunities for corps members to gain practical experience in their areas of specialization. The initial implementation of this policy will be limited to Lagos and Abuja before being extended nationwide.
The memo highlighted the urgent need to expand corps members’ opportunities to serve in roles relevant to their fields of study. It noted that the former policy limited young Nigerians’ ability to acquire practical knowledge that would prepare them for the labor market.
The directive specified the following changes:
1. Removal of Restrictions: All restrictions on corps members’ postings have been lifted.
2. Field-Specific Placements: Efforts will be made to post corps members to organizations aligned with their areas of study.
3. Private Sector Inclusion: Corps members will now be posted to select private organizations, including banks and companies in the oil and gas sector, with implementation starting in Lagos and Abuja.
This change will take effect with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation Course and will apply to all matters relating to the posting and assignment of corps members.
The memo underscored that the previous restrictions limited corps members’ exposure to valuable work experiences, which are crucial for their readiness to enter the labor market.
