REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS ACT: AN AGENDA FOR REFORM

Abstract

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was founded over forty years ago with the basic objective of fostering unity and the spirit of brotherliness among all citizens of Nigeria through bridging of the gaps created by ethnicity. However, the usefulness of the NYSC is now been called into question. This paper reviews the NYSC Act and makes recommendations for reforms that will reposition the service corps towards contributing to the sustainable economic development of Nigeria. In so doing, the paper also examines the provisions of Bills pending before the National Assembly to determine if the proposals in the Bills are adequate. The paper discusses, among others, the welfare of corps members. It proposes, among others, a review of corps members’ allowances, establishment of a corps members’ insurance scheme and collaboration between the NYSC and other agencies for the purpose of enabling corps members to be tools for economic development in Nigeria.