FG Lifts Posting Restrictions, Corps Members Can Now Serve in Private Sector
The Federal Government has lifted restrictions on the posting of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to the private sector, enabling them to serve in organizations such as banks, oil and gas companies, and other private establishments.
This decision, outlined in a memo issued by the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on November 18, 2024, will take effect with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation exercise. The policy is part of President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to address rising youth unemployment and align NYSC postings with participants’ academic qualifications.
The previous policy, introduced under former Minister for Youth and Sports Development Bolaji Abdullahi, restricted corps members to four sectors—education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure. This approach aimed to strengthen public sector capacity while curbing the exploitation of corps members as cheap labor in the private sector.
Minister Olawande explained that the new policy seeks to provide corps members with meaningful industry exposure and practical experience in their chosen fields of study. He emphasized the need for postings to reflect academic backgrounds, which will help bridge the gap between education and employability.
The directive includes the following key changes:
- Removal of restrictions on postings to private organizations.
- Alignment of postings with corps members’ areas of study to maximize relevance and skill acquisition.
- Initial implementation in Lagos and Abuja, focusing on select banks and oil and gas companies.
“There is an urgent need to review this policy to expand opportunities for corps members to serve in places aligned with their fields of study,” the memo stated.
This policy shift is expected to empower corps members with valuable skills, enhancing their career prospects while addressing unemployment and boosting Nigeria’s labor market competitiveness.
