The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a program set up by the Nigerian government to involve Nigerian graduates in nation building and the development of the country.
NYSC was created on 22 May 1973 as an avenue for the reconciliation, reconstruction, and rebuilding of the nation after the civil war.
It was established based on decree No. 24 that stated that the scheme was created with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity.
Below are 10 reasons why NYSC was established in Nigeria:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. To enable Nigerian youths acquire the spirit of self reliance by encouraging them to develop skills for self employment.
5. To contribute to the accelerated growth of the national economy.
6. To develop common ties among the Nigerian youths and promote national unity and integration.
7. To remove prejudices, eliminate ignorance and confirm at first hand the many similarities among Nigerians of all ethnic groups.
8. To develop a sense of corporate existence and common destiny of the people of Nigeria.
9. For the equitable distribution of members of the service corps and the effective utilisation of their skills in area of national needs.
10. 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.
The program has been met with criticism from a large portion of the country and complaints from Corps members about their remuneration.
A few youths carrying out the NYSC program have been killed in the regions where they were sent due to religious, ethnic or political violence.
