Group Commends NYSC's Role in Nation Building, Calls for Increased Funding

The Young Leaders Forum of Nigeria (YLFN) has lauded the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for its significant contributions to nation-building, national integration, and educational development, particularly in rural communities. The group described the scheme as one of Nigeria's most enduring and impactful national institutions.

However, the YLFN appealed to the Federal Government to prioritize improved funding for the NYSC. They argued that adequate financial support, not a fundamental restructuring, is what the scheme requires to effectively achieve its secondary objectives, including skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, community service, and youth empowerment. The forum believes the NYSC has remained faithful to its founding vision, serving as a platform for fostering national unity and exposing graduates to Nigeria's diverse cultures.

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The NYSC remains one of the most successful nation-building programmes ever established in Nigeria. For over five decades, it has continued to unite young Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional divides while making invaluable contributions to education, healthcare, agriculture and community development.

The statement, issued by YLFN National Coordinator Dr. Marcus Abechi, noted that beyond national integration, the NYSC has made substantial contributions to education in underserved rural areas. Thousands of corps members have filled critical manpower gaps in public schools over the years. The group highlighted that countless communities have benefited from corps members serving as teachers, healthcare workers, agricultural extension officers, legal aid providers, and development advocates, thereby complementing government efforts in delivering essential social services.

"The NYSC remains one of the most successful nation-building programmes ever established in Nigeria," the YLFN stated. "For over five decades, it has continued to unite young Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional divides while making invaluable contributions to education, healthcare, agriculture and community development." The forum emphasized that the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program is already yielding positive outcomes by equipping corps members with vocational and business management skills for self-reliance, and this initiative should be strengthened, not replaced.

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In many rural communities, corps members have sustained academic activities in public schools where teachers are insufficient, thereby improving access to quality education and inspiring thousands of young Nigerians. These contributions should be strengthened and not undermined.