Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of Youth Development, has revealed plans to communicate with President Bola Tinubu regarding a directive for all government agencies and parastatals. This memo will instruct them to accept National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members assigned to them for their one-year mandatory service.
During a press conference held in Abuja on Monday, Olawande addressed the growing concerns over the possible rejection of corps members. This issue arises despite the Federal Government’s recent decision to allow corps members to be posted to the private sector.
On November 19, 2024, the Federal Government lifted restrictions that previously limited corps members to public sector placements. This new policy allows for their deployment to various private sector organizations, including banks and companies in the oil and gas industry.
The minister mentioned that a directive had already been sent to the NYSC aimed at removing obstacles that hinder corps member postings. He acknowledged that some agencies and parastatals had reported instances of rejecting these members.
Emphasizing the ministry’s dedication to addressing this issue, Olawande stated, “Let them post them first, then we would tackle the rejection.” He explained that the memo sent to the NYSC clearly indicated that there should be no barriers to corps member postings.
Previously, there were restrictions preventing corps members from being assigned to certain positions. Olawande pointed out that banks often seek out these members, questioning how individuals without banking experience can ascertain their skills in fields like accounting.
He urged for a shift in perspective, stating, “We should stop lying to ourselves,” highlighting that corps members should have opportunities to apply what they have learned in their studies.
Olawande also indicated that a subsequent memo would be sent to the President, instructing all government agencies and parastatals not to reject corps members anymore. He acknowledged that this is a gradual process and that not everything can be resolved immediately.
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He reassured that the aspects within their control have already been addressed, stating, “The one in our capacity, we have thrown it out.” This reflects the ministry’s proactive stance in tackling the issues surrounding corps member postings.
Regarding the ongoing concerns about barriers, Olawande expressed awareness and commitment to resolving them, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in achieving these goals. He remains optimistic that improvements will be made in the near future.
