THE Federal Government has received a report on National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) reforms from a committee set up to review the scheme and propose solutions to strengthen and improve it for the future.
Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio-Ibrahim received the report from the committee headed by Oyekunle Oyekanmi, in Abuja the nation’s capital.
She stated that the government would surely examine recommendations of the committee for necessary implementation, and on the other hand expressed optimism that the proposed reforms for NYSC would strengthen the scheme to meet challenges and opportunities while ensuring its relevance and impact for years to come.
According to her NYSC has been a cornerstone for promoting national unity and integration, fostering development and empowering youth since it was established.
She also mentioned that like any reputable institution, the NYSC must adapt and evolve to effectively tackle the constantly changing challenges and opportunities in the society.
“At the level of the ministry, we need to revisit the report, because we are supervising the scheme, and we must be well aligned with our role and the reforms and our vision in the report,” she said.
Ibrahim extolled members of the committee under the Chairmanship of Oyekunle Oyekanmi for their dedication and steadfastness over the past months
She noted that the mandate they received in July was not an easy one, yet they embraced it with unwavering commitment.
Jamila equally stressed that the occasion stands at a significant juncture as she receives the draft report that embodies their vision for the future NYSC.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Olubunmi Olasanya who was ably represented by Prince Momoh Olugbenga, the Director for Enterprise Development and Promotion commended the committee for their diligence and professionalism.
He boasted that the extensive consultations, analysis, and recommendations they have provided are clear evidence of the thoughtful and inclusive process they have undertaken. The report will serve as a roadmap for making the NYSC more responsive, resilient, and impactful in the years to come, he added.
In his words “The task ahead of us, as the Ministry and stakeholders of the NYSC, is now to take these recommendations and turn them into actionable reforms. We will engage all necessary channels to ensure that the proposals you have outlined are implemented in a manner that ensures the sustainability and effectiveness of the NYSC.”
In his presentation, Oyekunle Oyekanmi, Committee Chairman, NYSC Reforms, recalled that on July 26, 2024, the Minister constituted and inaugurated the NYSC Reform Committee.
He noted the committee was tasked with the responsibility to appraise the scheme and make recommendations on how to make the NYSC self-sufficient, and a sustainable platform that would be able to compete with other youth organizations across the globe.
He revealed that the reform committee has produced a 31-page document to improve the NYSC scheme. The recommendations, he said, aimed at making the NYSC self-sufficient and profitable, with a focus on enhanced training for Corps members.
