By Gwurld4026 
NYSC Extension to Two Years: Education Minister’s Call
Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, has proposed extending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program from one year to two years. This proposal aims to enhance skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development among corps members, enabling them to become job creators and address the nation’s employment challenges.
The proposed extension includes expanding the NYSC’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program to provide corps members with practical skills for job creation and national development.
This development was revealed during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, to the Minister in Abuja. The Minister commended the NYSC’s efforts in digitizing the mobilization process and addressing issues such as certificate racketeering among foreign-trained graduates. He also advocated for deploying more graduate teachers to rural schools to fill manpower gaps.
Brigadier General Nafiu expressed the NYSC’s readiness to align with government policies and reforms, emphasizing the scheme’s commitment to national development. He also proposed creating a comprehensive database of Nigerian youths studying abroad to maintain detailed records and eliminate fake graduates.
The proposal has elicited mixed reactions from the public. Some individuals support the initiative, believing it will equip graduates with necessary skills and reduce unemployment. Others, however, express concerns about the feasibility and potential financial implications of extending the service period.
As of now, the proposal is under consideration, and further deliberations are expected before any official changes are implemented.