FG Lifts NYSC Posting Restrictions, Expands Corps Members’ Job Opportunities
Government reverses long-standing policy limiting youth corps deployments to four sectors as part of unemployment reduction strategy
The Federal Government has revoked all previous National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posting restrictions that had confined corps members to only four sectors. The new directive, announced through a ministerial memo dated November 18, 2024, marks a dramatic change in the scheme’s deployment strategy.
Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, issued the directive to the NYSC Director General, emphasizing that the policy reversal aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to combat rising youth unemployment. The change will take effect from the commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation Course.
Key Policy Changes
The previous policy, implemented during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, had restricted corps members’ postings to four sectors: Education, Agriculture, Health, and Infrastructure. This limitation, while initially designed to prevent private sector exploitation of corps members as cheap labor, had inadvertently created barriers for graduates seeking specialized experience in their fields of study.
Under the new directive, several changes will be implemented, including:
- Complete removal of all sector-based posting restrictions
- Alignment of postings with corps members’ courses of study
- Introduction of postings to select banks and private sector organizations
- Inclusion of opportunities in the oil and gas sector, initially focusing on Abuja and Lagos
“As we battle the unemployment crisis, 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,” Minister Olawande stated in the memo, released by Omolara Esan, the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations.
The expanded deployment options signal a fresh approach to tackling youth employment and skills acquisition. Opening additional sectors for corps members aims to provide hands-on experience that matches their career paths while simultaneously addressing Nigeria’s unemployment crisis. This approach ensures graduates gain relevant industry exposure before entering the job market.
