Before I continue with my opinion on why it should be scrapped or better still not made compulsory, there is need to look at the intent of the founder then, General Gowon in 1973 after the civil war occurred so as to restore back Nigeria as a united nation. But the question begging for answer is how far having this been able to foster the unity it was originally created for. Corps members in some parts of the country are seen as “fifth class” citizens while other face discriminations which affects some psychologically all in the name of “serving” our father’s land.

Every year, the nation allocations billions on this exercise which if for instance being diverted the federal institution of each state would have made these institutions world class. Imagine UNILAG, OAU, BUK, UNN etc. being given the money that would have used for camping in the three batches which are in year for the next five years if managed well. This for sure would have provided our institutions world class structures and the chant for lack of funding would not have erupted in the first place. The research institute in these universities would have made Nigeria as whole proud because innovations would have been possible.


What then should be done?

NYSC as is stands if scrapped will definitely make workers and traders who depend squarely on corps members unemployed but rather should this made optional. You may want to raise an eyebrow about this but the fact is why are we making this compulsory? The government should rather after graduation give the graduates the allowance of a year at once that is lets say the allowance is #19000 then, each graduates that intend not going should receive two hundred and twenty thousand naira. This without doubt will reduce the dependence on the government after graduation because those who have been able to learn a trade, skill or perhaps as a student have been thought some things that can generate money without depending on the government will use this money to venture into such. You can imagine the output an Agric. Student being given that amount with a land from his local government or traditional leader would yield.

And now if as a graduate you are interested in going since it is now optional, you then write a proposal on graduation and the government can now increase the allowance to something like 22000 naira-25000naira.


What do we stand to gain?

As a nation still looking for a way to curb the issue of unemployment and over dependence on the government, the adoption of this will definitely go a long way in providing employment opportunities to the young graduates hence preventing unemployment.
Also, innovations come into place because as graduates, who prefer the money to the service, if such amounts cannot fully help, it will at least provide such a graduate capital for such and little might now to be borrowed to make such dreams come to actualisation.

Another thing we stand to gain is that more graduates have a chance to get their dream job because once this service is being made optional, it provides graduates like the accountants, banking and finance etc and some other professions which always offer employment to younger graduates the opportunity of getting their dream job. You can imagine a scenario where an individual graduated at 24 for instance and the bank which he/she dreams of working is also having an age limit of 24. You can always imagine the frustration and depression coupled with unhappiness in face due to the compulsory service to the fatherland.

The stipends called the “allawee” is not even sufficient for graduates posted to some cities like Abuja, Lagos, Port-Harcourt etc. the amount being spent on accommodation, feeding and transportation in these cities portrays the graduates as beggars or “church rats” all in the name of service.

Here is an estimated breakdown of the amount being spent by the federal government on 60,000 graduates per batch if the allowance is #19,000
Allowance for the whole year= 60,000*#228000= #13,680,000,000 that is #13 billion
Feeding throughout the three weeks camp @#5000 per week=#15,000*60,000= #900,000,000
Apart are still registration processes, accommodation etc.
This is a roughly estimation of a batch in a year.

hmmm

nice recommendation but its going to be a pipe dream.

if only it could be adopted then you will see Nigeria achieving big...but as the above said, it will be difficult