The Federal Government has lifted restrictions on posting National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to private sector organisations, including banks and oil and gas companies.
This new directive will take effect with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation exercise, according to a memo issued by Ayodele Olawande, Minister for Youth Development, on November 18, 2024.
The policy marks a shift from the previous regulation introduced under former Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, which limited corps members to public sector roles in education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
The earlier policy aimed to discourage private companies from exploiting cheap labour while building public sector capacity.
Minister Olawande explained that the change aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to combat youth unemployment and provide graduates with valuable experience in their fields of study. Initially, the new directive will be implemented in Lagos and Abuja.
The minister noted that the revised policy would better prepare Nigerian youths for the labor market, addressing the limitations of the previous system.
The memo read in parts, “There is an urgent need to review this policy to expand the opportunity and access for corps members to serve in places that are relevant to their areas of study. Without prejudice to the need to constantly review per prevailing realities, I now direct as follows: Lifting of all restrictions on postings.
“Posting of corps members to, as much as practicable, be in line with their course of study. Posting of corps members to select banks and other private sector organisations, including those operating in oil and gas, to commence with Abuja and Lagos. The directive contained herein will take effect from the date of commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course and applies in relation to any matter relating to the posting and distribution of corps members to Places of Primary Assignment.
“The now revoked policy has greatly hampered experience gathering that would effectively prepare them for the job market.”
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