General Yakubu Gowon, a former Nigerian leader, recently disclosed that students across the nation were initially opposed to the introduction of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
This revelation came during a courtesy call by the newly appointed NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, at Gowon’s home in Asokoro, Abuja.
Gowon highlighted the significant role Corps members have played in advancing national development throughout the more than five decades since the program began.
He also commended the NYSC’s deployment strategy, which promotes cultural exchange and national cohesion by assigning Corps members to regions and states different from their places of origin.
“When the NYSC was launched, it faced considerable pushback from students nationwide,” Gowon remarked.
Nevertheless, he noted that the initiative has since surmounted those early doubts, evolving into a widely respected program that enhances unity, integration, progress, employment opportunities, and the empowerment of Nigerian youth.
Introduced under Gowon’s leadership, the NYSC was part of a broader post-civil war effort to heal, rebuild, and unify the country following a devastating 30-month conflict.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a pivotal institution in Nigeria, established on May 22, 1973, by the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon.
Conceived in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), the program was designed as a tool for national reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation.
The war had left deep divisions among ethnic groups and regions, and the NYSC sought to bridge these gaps by fostering unity and mutual understanding among Nigerian youth.
Gowon envisioned a scheme where young graduates from universities and polytechnics would serve the nation for one year in states other than their own, immersing themselves in diverse cultures, traditions, and communities.
The NYSC operates under a core mandate to promote national integration, encourage self-reliance, and contribute to community development. Corps members, typically between the ages of 18 and 30, are deployed across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The program begins with a three-week orientation camp, where participants undergo physical training, leadership development, and cultural education, followed by primary assignments in sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Over its five-decade history, the NYSC has recorded remarkable achievements. It has produced millions of graduates who have served as teachers, doctors, engineers, and administrators in underserved rural areas, significantly boosting local development.
The scheme has also been a catalyst for cultural exchange, breaking down stereotypes and building bonds among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. Many marriages and lifelong friendships trace their origins to NYSC postings, underscoring its role in social cohesion.
Additionally, the NYSC has evolved to address contemporary challenges. Initiatives like the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program empower Corps members with vocational training, reducing youth unemployment.
From constructing classrooms to organizing health outreaches, the Community Development Service (CDS) component has left tangible legacies nationwide. Despite challenges like funding and security concerns, the NYSC remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s quest for unity and progress, adapting to the times while staying true to its founding vision.
