The federal government, under the leadership of Bola Tinubu, has put forth a new initiative to reshape the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) into an agency that generates revenue.
The Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, revealed this development in an interview with ChannelsTV on Sunday night.
When questioned about potential increases in the monthly allowances for corps members, the minister acknowledged the challenges posed by dwindling resources, including reduced oil revenues.
However, she assured that the government is committed to finding innovative solutions to ensure the well-being of corps members.
The minister highlighted ongoing efforts to reform the NYSC scheme to align with the current realities of the nation.
The envisioned transformation aims to turn the NYSC into a self-sustaining agency that not only serves as a social program but also generates revenue.
This reform, she explained, seeks to equip corps members for the job market, fostering their capacity to secure meaningful employment or become employers through entrepreneurship.
Additionally, it emphasizes effective matching into primary assignments and comprehensive support for their chosen career paths.
In response to the escalating security challenges in the country, the minister disclosed that the government has taken immediate measures to enhance the safety of corps members.
As part of this intervention, corps members are no longer being posted to states deemed unsafe.
The minister underscored the importance of collaboration with other government agencies in addressing the security concerns of corps members.
Emphasizing that security matters require a multi-sectoral approach, she affirmed that the NYSC and the Ministry of Youth Development are working in conjunction with security outlets to ensure the safety of corps members.
