FG has lifted the prohibition on NYSC members working in banks and other establishments.
Members of the National Youth Service Corps can now be posted to private sector organizations, including as banks and oil and gas corporations, after the federal government repealed the rule that limited their posting to the public sector.
According to a document dated November 18, 2024, from Comrade Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, the new directive would go into force with the start of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course.
Olawande claims that the change in policy is a component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s larger plan to address the growing rate of youth unemployment by making sure government organizations support his administration’s goals.
Corps members were limited to four areas under the prior posting policy, which was put into place under the former Minister of Youth Development Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi: infrastructure, education, agriculture, and health. It was intended to deter private enterprises from taking advantage of inexpensive labor while encouraging the development of public sector capabilities.
But the government now contends that the restriction has made it more difficult for corps members to obtain meaningful experience in their fields of study, which has left many of them unprepared for the workforce. The government hopes that by removing the limitations, NYSC participants would have more chances to gain real-world experience that complements their academic training and improves their employability.
Additionally, the new order gives high-demand sectors priority assignments to places like Abuja and Lagos. By encouraging cooperation between the public and commercial sectors, the program hopes to increase the NYSC’s ability to handle the unemployment issue and close the skills gap.
Part of the memo states: “This policy needs to be reviewed immediately in order to increase corps members’ access and opportunity to serve in locations that are pertinent to their fields of study.
“I now give the following instructions, without limiting the necessity of continuously reviewing in light of current realities: All posting limitations are being lifted.
Corps members should, to the greatest extent possible, be posted in accordance with their academic program.Corps personnel are posted to starting with Abuja and Lagos, a few banks and other private sector companies, particularly those involved in the oil and gas industry, will be included.
The instruction outlined above will be applicable to any issue pertaining to the posting and distribution of corps members to Places of Primary Assignment and will go into effect on the date the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course begins.
“The now-rescinded policy has significantly hindered the acquisition of experience that would adequately prepare them for the workforce.”
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