NYSC: A Year To Serve Or a Life To Lose?

For millions of young Nigerians, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a rite of passage, a mandatory year of service meant to foster national unity and personal growth.

But in 2025, the experience has become fraught with fear and uncertainty, as escalating insecurity across Nigeria threatens the lives and futures of the country’s brightest young graduates.

A Tradition Under Siege

Established in 1973 to heal the wounds of civil war and promote integration, the NYSC has long been a symbol of hope and national identity.

Each year, thousands of graduates are posted to states far from home, tasked with teaching, healthcare, and community development. But today, the very act of reporting for duty can be perilous.

Reports of abductions, killings, and violent attacks on corps members have surged dramatically.

Between 2023 and 2025, kidnappers extracted at least ₦80.1 million in ransom from the families of abducted corps members.

In one harrowing case, Rofiat Lawal was kidnapped en route to her posting and only released after a ransom was paid.

Her story is not unique—at least 12 corps members have been kidnapped for ransom in recent months, with some held for up to 11 months.

A Landscape of Fear

The threat is not limited to isolated incidents. Insecurity now defines the NYSC experience in many regions:

Northwest and Northcentral Nigeria are plagued by bandit gangs and farmer-herder violence, with over 1.3 million people internally displaced by April 2024.

Benue State witnessed a brutal attack in June 2025, killing over 200 people just hours after more than 1,300 corps members were sworn in.

Kaduna, Sokoto, and Plateau States remain hotspots for deadly raids and kidnappings, despite government assurances of safety.

Southern states and key highways have also seen a rise in kidnappings and bandit attacks, making travel itself a life-threatening risk.

Parents and advocacy groups are increasingly vocal, urging the government to stop posting corps members to volatile regions.

“No national programme, regardless of its noble intentions, is worth the life of a single Nigerian youth,” said Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, President of the Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria.

Living With the Threat

For corps members, the reality is grim. Many live in constant fear, forced to adapt by forming close-knit support networks and learning to “look out for each other”.

The psychological toll is immense, with some choosing to “ghost” their service year or abscond entirely—a stark contrast to the scheme’s original ideals.

The dangers extend beyond violence.

Corps members often endure lengthy, hazardous journeys to remote postings, exposing them to accidents, abductions, and armed robbery.

Even in relatively safer urban centers, the threat of unrest or targeted attacks lingers.

A Call for Reform

The government has acknowledged the crisis. In February 2025, the Minister of Youth announced that corps members would no longer be posted to “very unsafe” states.

Yet, implementation remains inconsistent.

In Bauchi State, for example, 1,600 corps members were deployed just weeks after a deadly attack killed 15 people in the area.

Some state governors, like Kaduna’s Uba Sani, have pledged to prioritize corps members’ safety.

But for many, these assurances ring hollow against the backdrop of persistent violence and underfunded security measures.

The Future of National Service

As insecurity escalates, the very future of the NYSC is under scrutiny.

Critics question whether the scheme, conceived in an era of relative peace, can survive in today’s Nigeria.

“Why should any sane country risk the lives of its own young ones just because of the national unity narrative, which never existed anywhere?” asked one analyst.

For now, thousands of young Nigerians face a stark choice: risk their lives for national service or forgo a programme that once promised opportunity and pride.

The fate of corps members has become a litmus test for Nigeria’s ability to protect its youth and, by extension, its future.

The world is watching, and for many Nigerian families, the stakes have never been higher.

Should the NYSC be scrapped?

The question of whether the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should be scrapped is complex and deeply tied to Nigeria’s socio-political realities, especially in the face of rising insecurity and evolving national needs.

The Case for Retaining the NYSC

The NYSC was established in 1973 as a post-civil war initiative to promote national unity, integration, and reconciliation among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.

Its core objectives include fostering discipline, patriotism, and social cohesion by posting graduates to states other than their own, encouraging cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

Despite challenges, the NYSC remains a unique platform for exposing young Nigerians to different cultures and regions, which is vital in a country often divided along ethnic and religious lines.

The program also offers opportunities for skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development.

These are increasingly emphasized to address youth unemployment and economic empowerment.

The government’s recent efforts to improve digital registration and enhance skill acquisition reflect attempts to modernize the scheme and make it more relevant.

Challenges and Criticisms

However, critics argue that the NYSC has outlived its original purpose.

After more than five decades, the scheme has shown limited success in achieving genuine national unity or substantial social development.

Many see it as a mere bureaucratic hurdle rather than a transformative experience.

Security concerns have become paramount.

The recent surge in kidnappings, violent attacks, and general insecurity in many parts of Nigeria puts corps members at significant risk.

It raises ethical and practical questions about the safety of deploying young graduates to volatile regions.

This insecurity undermines the scheme’s effectiveness and deters participation, with some corps members absconding or avoiding service altogether.

Moreover, the NYSC’s implementation often fails to align corps members’ postings with their professional qualifications.

This limits the program’s potential to provide meaningful career development or practical skills.

The absence of a post-service support system leaves many young people vulnerable after their service year, questioning the fairness and long-term value of the scheme.

Debate on Reform vs. Abolition

Some stakeholders advocate for reform rather than scrapping the NYSC.

Suggested reforms include:

• Enhanced security measures and careful posting policies to protect corps members.
• Aligning postings with corps members’ fields of study for better skill development.
• Strengthening the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program to equip corps members for self-reliance.
• Providing post-service support and career guidance to ensure a smoother transition into the workforce.

Others argue that the NYSC’s fundamental premise is outdated in a modern Nigeria with evolving socio-economic dynamics.

They contend that the scheme’s costs – financial, social, and human – may outweigh its benefits, especially given persistent insecurity and limited tangible outcomes.

Conclusion

Given the NYSC’s historic role in fostering national unity and youth development, scrapping it outright could risk losing a valuable platform for social cohesion and national integration.

However, the program’s current challenges, especially those related to security, relevance, and post-service support, demand urgent and comprehensive reforms.

For Nigeria’s youth, the priority should be a safe, meaningful, and empowering service experience that genuinely contributes to personal growth and national development.

Whether through reform or reimagining the scheme, the goal must be to protect corps members while maximizing the NYSC’s potential as a unifying and developmental force in Nigeria’s future.

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