About the NYSC Scheme

The NYSC scheme was created in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil war. The unfortunate antecedents in our national history gave impetus to the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps by decree No.24 of 22nd May 1973 which stated that the NYSC is being established "with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity".

As a developing country. Nigeria is further plagued by the problems attendant upon a condition of under development, namely; poverty. mass illiteracy, acute shortage of high skilled manpower (coupled with most uneven distribution of the skilled people that are available), woefully inadequate socioeconomic infrastructural facilities, housing. Water and sewage facilities, road, healthcare services, and effective communication system. . Faced with these almost intractable problems, which were further compounded by the burden of reconstruction after the civil war, the government and people of Nigeria set for the country, fresh goals, and objectives aimed at establishing Nigeria as:
A united, strong and selfreliant nation
a great and dynamic economy
a land of bright and full opportunities for all citizens
The government and people of Nigeria are not aware that sound and patriotic leadership is a precondition for the rapid social and economic development of the country. As a nation, Nigeria has been less fortunate in the kind of leadership that emerge to govern the affairs of the country in the period immediately after independence, a leadership whose achievements notwithstanding, was none the less ill-prepared. and generally not properly motivated to tackle the problems of socioeconomic under development, in the interest of the country as a whole.
There is no gain saying the fact that the future of any country depends on the youths. The youths of Nigeria acknowledge this fact, and have consistently laid claim to the nation's leadership.
While one may give credence to the saying that leaders are born, not made, one must also concede to the fact that leadership in a modem society requires a certain degree of preparation and orientation before the assumption of that role.
The universities and other institutions of higher learning are normally expected to be training ground for future leaders, except that, as we are all aware, these institutions are first and foremost committed to the advancement of learning and knowledge, training of people for good citizenship. Little wonder that the products of these institutions have been accused of being too elitist in their outlook, of not identifying with the plight of common man, and of inability to appreciate predicament of the vast majority of our people who live in the rural areas.
It was the need to look beyond the immediate present and to think of the future leadership of the country that necessitated the mobilisation of certain categories of our youths through the National Youth Service Corps Scheme. This was done with a view to giving them the proper guidance and orientation relevant to the needs of the country. The National Youth Setvice Corps Decree No. 24 which has now been repealed and replaced by Decree 51 of 16th June 1993, was then formally promulgated.
The purpose of the scheme is primarily to inculcate in Nigerian Youths the spirit of selfless service to the community, and to emphasize the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians, irrespective of cultural or social background. The history of our country since independence has clearly indicated the need for unity amongst all our people, and demonstrated the fact that no cultural or geographical entity can exist in isolation.
About the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
All You Need to Know About NYSC
Objectives Of The Scheme

The objectives of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme are clearly spelt out in Decree No.51 of 16th June 1993 as follows

To inculcate discipline in Nigerian youths by instilling in them a tradition of industry at work, and of patriotic and loyal service to Nigeria in any situation they may find themselves.
To raise the moral tone of the Nigerian youths by giving them the opportunity to learn about higher ideals of national achievement, social and cultural improvement
To develop in the Nigerian youths the attitudes of mind, acquired through shared experience and suitable training. which will make them more amenable to mobilisation in the national interest
To enable Nigerian youths acquire the spirit of self reliance by encouraging them to develop skills for self employment
To contribute to the accelerated growth of the national economy
To develop common ties among the Nigerian youths and promote national unity and integration
To remove prejudices, eliminate ignorance and confirm at first hand the many similarities among Nigerians of all ethnic groups
To develop a sense of corporate existence and common destiny of the people of Nigeria.
The equitable distribution of members of the service corps and the effective utilisation of their skills in area of national needs
That as far as possible, youths are assigned to jobs in States other than their States of origin
That such group of youths assigned to work together is as representative of Nigeria as far as possible
That the Nigerian youths are exposed to the modes of living of the people in different parts of Nigeria
That the Nigerian youths are encouraged to eschew religious intolerance by accommodating religious differences
That members of the service corps are encouraged to seek at the end of their one year national service, career employment all over Nigeria, thus promoting the free movement of labour
That employers are induced partly through their experience with members of the service corps to employ more readily and on a permanent basis, qualified Nigerians, irrespective of their States of origin
Vision Statement

To develop a sound and result oriented organization that is strongly committed to its set objectives particularly those of national unity and even development. An organization that is well motivated and capable of bringing out the best qualities in our youths and imparting in them the right attitude and values for nation-building. An organization that serves as a catalyst to national development, and a source of pride and fulfillment to its participating graduate youths

Mission Statement

To build a pragmatic organization that is committed to its set objectives with the ultimate goal of producing future leadership with positive national ethos-Leadership that is vibrant, proud and committed to the unity and even development of the Nigeria State.To be at the fore front of National development efforts, as well as serve as a profitable platform for imparting in our youths values of nationalism, patriotism, loyalty and accountable leadership.To raise the moral tone of our youths by giving them opportunity to learn about high ideals of national achievement, social and cultural improvement.To develop in our youths attitude of mind acquired through shared experience, and suitable training which would make them more amenable to mobilization in the national interest.To ensure Nigerian youths acquire the spirit of self-reliance, a reliable source of economic empowerment and effective participation in nation building.To develop an organization that is alive to its responsibilities and responsive to the needs of the country.

Administrative Structure of the NYSC

The National Youth Service Corps is administratively structured within the framework of the NYSC Act aimed at achieving its set objectives. The Structure is as follows:

NATIONAL GOVERNING BOARD


The National Governing Board also known as the Directorate is at the apex and the highest policy-making organ of the Scheme. The Board comprises of the following ten members, appointed by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces:

A Chairman
One representative of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors
One representative of the Committee of Rectors of Polytechnics
One representative of the Chief of Army Staff
One representative of the Inspector-General of Police
One representative of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association
Three other persons, one of whom shall be a woman
The Director-General

FUNCTIONS OF THE DIRECTORATE (NATIONAL GOVERNING BOARD)


The Directorate shall
Draw up detailed programmes of training and schedules which shall be designed for achieving the objective of the service corps
Ensure that such programmes and schedules are strictly adhered to
Maintain regular contacts with all universities, polytechnics and colleges in Nigeria and abroad where applicable
Assign members of the service corps to the programmed in the states as provided by the Directorate
Co-ordinate the work of the State Governing Boards in furtherance of the objectives of the Decree
Assess and review, from time to time, the progress of the service corps
Make and submit all statutory and other reports as may be required of it to the presidency
Have the power to appoint (including power to appoint on promotion and transfer and confirmation of appointments) advance, terminate and discipline employees holding or acting in any office in the Directorate
STATE/FCT SECRETARIATS


There are NYSC offices in all the States and the Federal Capital Territory. Just like it exists at the national level, each state and the Federal Capital Territory has a Governing Board which consists of the following members:

A chairman who shall be appointed by the State Governor/Minister of the Federal Capital territory
A member of the Armed Forces of the Federation
A member of the Nigeria Police Force
Five other persons who shall be appointed from among persons concerned with the following sectors of the Nigerian economic at least one of whom shall represent
Commerce and industry
Agriculture and natural resources
Local government
Education
The State coordinator of the service corps
With the exception of the State Coordinator, all members of the State/FCT Governing Board shall be appointed by the State Governor/FCT Minister.

Each NYSC Secretariat is headed by a staff of the NYSC on Grade Level 16 known as State Coordinator. The State Coordinator is in-charge of the day to day administration of the Scheme at the State/FCT level and is assisted by Assistant Directors at the State Secretariat and Zonal and Local Government inspectors at the Zonal and Local Government Areas.

FUNCTIONS OF NYSC STATE/FCT GOVERNING BOARD

Arranging and providing accommodation, boarding, transportation, and providing other facilities which are essential for the welfare of the service corps and success of the scheme in the State.
Assembling reports on members of the service corps and transmitting them
Arranging the provision of facilities for orientation and winding-up exercises
Coupling information on such opportunities as may be for employment in the States.
Deploying corps members of the service corps within the State



OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL


The Director-General is appointed by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He is the Chief Executive and is charged with general responsibility for matters affecting the day-to-day running of the service corps. In accordance with Section 5(3) of the NYSC Act, the Director-General is assisted by Directors at the National Directorate Headquarters and State Coordinators at the State Headquarters.

The office of the Director-General Comprises of the following Units:
Reforms
Legal
Audit
Press and Public Relations
DEPARTMENTS


The National Directorate Headquarters has eleven Departments, each of which is headed by a Director on grade level 17. Each of the Departments is further divided into Divisions which are headed by Deputy Directors on grade level 16. Each Division comprises of branches headed by Assistant Directors on grade level 15. The Departments and their branches are as follows:

Human Resource Department
Human Resource Planning Division
Career Management Division
Training and Executive Development Division
Staff Welfare & Industrial Relations Division
General Services Division
Corp mobilization
Evaluation Division
Mobilization Division
Deployment Division
Corp Welfare and Inspectorate
Corps Welfare Division
Corps Insurance Division
Corps Inspection Division
Corps Discipline and Merit Division
Corps health Division
Skills Acquisition AND Entrepreneurship
Skills Acquisition Division
Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Division
Community Development Service
Community Development Service Division
Scheme collaboration Division
Special Projects Division
Finance and Accounts
Budget Division
Account Division
Planning, Research and Statistics
Policy and Planning Division
Research, Statistics & Library Division
Project Monitoring & Evaluation Division
Technical Assistance Division
Information Communication and Technology
Data Management Services Division
Hardware & Software Development Support Division
Corps Certification
Exemption Division
Certification Division
Verification Division
Ventures Management
Arable farms
Factories
Mills
Animal Husbandry
Procurement
Capital Procurement Division
Recurrent Procurement Division
The National Youth Service Year: An Over-View


The National Youth Service Corps Year comprises of four (4) main segments in which every Corps Members must satisfactorily participate before he/she is qualified to be issued a certificate of National Service. The service year therefore comprises of:

Orientation Courses
Primary Assignment
Community Development Service
Winding – Up/Passing –out
ORIENTATION COURSE


A National Youth Service Corps year starts with a 3 weeks orientation course and it is compulsory for all Nigeria graduates mobilised for national service. The course lasts for three (3) weeks and is designed to achieve the following objectives:

To give Corps Members a better understanding of the objectives of the NYSC Scheme and enable them internalise its ideals
To acquaint members with their environment in their political, cultural, social and economic setting
To prepare Corps members for their particular roles in the Scheme.
To equip them with practical social and leadership skills that will enable them meet the challenges of the service year ahead.
To inculcate in the Corps members the spirit of national consciousness as a basic ingredient in nation building.
To instil discipline in the youths.
To give Corps members adequate physical and mental training.
To imbibe them with the Spirit of collective responsibility.
To achieve the above objectives the orientation course opens with a swearing –in/opening ceremony presided over by the executive Governor of the State/FCT Minister. The oath of Allegiance and the National Pledge are administered by the Chief Judge of the State/FCT.


The orientation course content involves physical training, drills, lectures on the people and tradition of the host State, professional lectures for Corps health personnel’s, lawyers, teachers and Skill acquisition training e.t.c. Corps members participate in social activities designed to create opportunities for them to interact.


They participate in dance and drama competitions, Miss NYSC and Mr Macho.


They also participate in inter platoon competitions on football, volleyball, table tennis, cooking and sanitation.


Corps members are also trained on Man ‘O’ War activities leading to competitions on inter platoon drills and tug of war.

PRIMARY ASSIGNMENT

At the end of the orientation, Corps members are posted to their place of primary assignment. While the NYSC Management takes into consideration the areas of specialization of Corps members carrying out the posting exercise, emphasis is placed in rural posting in the areas of Agriculture, Health, Education and Infrastructure.

It is expected that Corps members should accept their posting and be agents of change contributing towards the development of their host communities.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES


The Community Development Service (CDS) is aimed at harnessing the skills, creativity and innovativeness of Corps members. Corps members are expected to identified the needs of their host communities and mobilise members of their host communities to embark on the projects.

Through this programme, many Corps members were able to construct bridges, health care centres, classroom blocks, market stalls, culverts etc. they had also carried out projects like HIV sensitization, adult literacy campaign, extra-mural classes for students, road safety campaign etc. Corps members participate actively in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) through the War Against Poverty (WAP) programme of the scheme.
WINDING –UP/PASSING-OUT


At the end of the service year (usually at the 12th month) corps members are gathered in their respective zones for assessment of the service year and de briefing. It is the period when Corps members present their final clearance letters from their employers and submit same to their Zonal/Local Government Inspectors.

Parade rehearsals are conducted in readiness for the passing-out ceremony which is usually presided over by the Executive Governor of the State. During the ceremony, those with outstanding performance during the service year are given State Honours Award. For a Corps member to merit an award, he/she must be outstanding in the orientation course, primary assignment, community development service and winding –up exercise.

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