Federal Government Begins Overhaul of NYSC Scheme, Plans Teachers’ and Medical Corps**
Federal Government Begins Overhaul of NYSC Scheme, Plans Teachers’ and Medical Corps**
Federal Government Begins Overhaul of NYSC Scheme, Plans Teachers’ and Medical Corps**
7th May 2025 The Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, aiming to strengthen its relevance, improve safety for corps members, and align it with contemporary socio-economic realities. The initiative also includes plans to establish a Teachers’ Corps and a Medical Corps to address critical gaps in education and healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
The decision to overhaul the NYSC follows growing concerns about the safety of corps members, inadequate facilities, and the scheme’s ability to meet the evolving needs of Nigerian youth. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, emphasized the NYSC’s historic role in fostering national unity and youth development since its inception in 1973.
“The issues of corps members’ safety, infrastructural challenges, and the broader question of the scheme’s relevance in an increasingly dynamic socio-economic environment are among the key concerns,” Ayodele stated. “However, these challenges also present opportunities that require urgent, visionary, and determined action.”
The newly formed committee is tasked with reviewing current NYSC policies, consulting stakeholders nationwide, and proposing reforms to laws, policies, and operational frameworks. Additionally, it will explore innovative funding models and mechanisms to enhance the scheme’s efficiency and impact. The final report is expected to be submitted to the minister within a stipulated timeframe.
In a related development, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced plans to establish a Teachers’ Corps and a Medical Corps. These initiatives aim to address critical shortages in education and healthcare, particularly in rural areas.
The Teachers’ Corps will target graduates of the National Certificate in Education, providing them with opportunities to serve in underserved communities while creating pathways to permanent government employment. Similarly, the Medical Corps will deploy healthcare workers to rural areas, bolstering the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.
“The Teachers’ Corps would help bridge educational gaps, while the Medical Corps would strengthen healthcare delivery in remote regions,” Alausa explained.
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman, highlighted the importance of integrating technical and vocational skills training into youth empowerment programs. She stressed that such measures would enable young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the nation’s development.
“Such alignment would empower young people to make meaningful, long-term contributions to their communities and to the nation as a whole,” Usman said.
The overhaul of the NYSC and the introduction of specialized corps align with the Federal Government’s broader objectives of youth empowerment and nation-building. The Minister of Youth Development reiterated that the review’s outcomes must support national development goals, positioning the NYSC as a strategic tool for fostering unity and progress.
“The outcome of this review must align with broader national development objectives, positioning the NYSC as a strategic tool for youth empowerment and nation-building,” Ayodele added.
The Federal Government’s decision to revamp the NYSC and introduce specialized corps underscores its commitment to addressing systemic challenges and harnessing the potential of Nigerian youth. As the committee begins its work, stakeholders across the nation will be watching closely, hopeful that these reforms will translate into tangible improvements in youth development, education, and healthcare
