The Federal Government has lifted the restriction on posting National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to private sector organizations, allowing corps members to now serve in industries such as banking and oil and gas.
This policy shift, announced in a memo by the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, dated November 18, 2024, will take effect with the commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation exercise.
The previous policy, introduced under former Minister for Youth and Sports Development Bolaji Abdullahi, limited corps members to public sector roles in four key areas: education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
It aimed to discourage the exploitation of corps members as cheap labor by private firms while promoting capacity building in the public sector.
Minister Olawande explained that the new directive aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to tackle youth unemployment by broadening opportunities for corps members.
Initially, the policy will be implemented in Lagos and Abuja, with plans for expansion to other states.
The Minister emphasized that the new arrangement would enable corps members to gain valuable work experience in their fields of study, better preparing them for the labor market.
“The previous policy hindered Nigerian youths from acquiring the practical skills and exposure needed for today’s competitive job market,” he said.
The memo read in parts, “There is an urgent need to review this policy to expand the opportunity and access for corps members to serve in places that are relevant to their areas of study. Without prejudice to the need to constantly review per prevailing realities, I now direct as follows: Lifting of all restrictions on postings.
“Posting of corps members to, as much as practicable, be in line with their course of study. Posting of corps members to select banks and other private sector organisations, including those operating in oil and gas, to commence with Abuja and Lagos. The directive contained herein will take effect from the date of commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course and applies in relation to any matter relating to the posting and distribution of corps members to Places of Primary Assignment.
“The now revoked policy has greatly hampered experience gathering that would effectively prepare them for the job market.”
(Punch)