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By Emmanuel Kwada
The Federal Government has officially lifted the ban preventing members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from being assigned to the public sector, allowing corps members to serve in various private sector organizations, including banks and oil and gas companies.
In a memo dated November 18, 2024, the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced that this new policy would take effect at the start of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation exercise.
Previously, under former Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Bolaji Abdullahi, a policy was in place that aimed to prevent private companies from exploiting young graduates as cheap labor while promoting capacity building in the public sector. This policy limited corps members to four specific sectors: education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
The new posting directives will initially be implemented in Lagos and Abuja
Olawande explained that the change aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives to tackle rising youth unemployment by encouraging government agencies to support the administration’s vision. The new posting directives will initially be implemented in Lagos and Abuja.
The minister emphasized that this revised policy would enable corps members to acquire relevant experience in their fields of study, as the previous restrictions had hindered their ability to gain exposure necessary for the job market.
There is an urgent need to review this policy to expand opportunities and access for corps members to serve in areas pertinent to their studies
The memo stated, in part, “There is an urgent need to review this policy to expand opportunities and access for corps members to serve in areas pertinent to their studies. In light of current realities, I now direct the following: the lifting of all posting restrictions; corps members should be assigned, as much as possible, in line with their academic backgrounds; postings will include select banks and other private sector organizations, including those in oil and gas, starting with Abuja and Lagos. This directive will be effective from the commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course and will apply to all matters regarding the posting and distribution of corps members to Places of Primary Assignment.
I now direct the following: the lifting of all posting restrictions; corps members should be assigned, as much as possible, in line with their academic backgrounds; postings will include select banks and other private sector organizations, including those in oil and gas, starting with Abuja and Lagos
“The previously enforced policy has significantly limited the opportunities for corps members to gain the necessary experience to prepare them for the workforce.”
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