Abuja – The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has proposed extending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from one year to two years. He shared this plan during a meeting with the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the Ministry’s office in Abuja. The minister believes this change will give young Nigerians more time to learn valuable skills.
Alausa wants to focus on improving the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Training within the NYSC. He said a longer service period will help corps members become job creators instead of just job seekers, meeting Nigeria’s economic needs. “Let’s give people more opportunities to create jobs,” he told the NYSC leadership.
The minister also pointed out the shortage of teachers in rural schools. He asked the NYSC to send more graduate teachers to these areas to fill the gap and improve education. This move could bring better learning to underserved communities across the country.
On another note, Alausa praised the NYSC for tackling certificate fraud, especially with foreign-trained graduates. He highlighted their new digital system, which ensures only real graduates join the program. This step is making the process fairer and more reliable for everyone involved.
The Ministry of Education is also working on its own digital project to verify foreign-trained Nigerians. Alausa said this will team up with NYSC efforts to stop fake certificates from spreading. It’s a joint push to keep education honest and strong in Nigeria.
Brigadier General Nafiu, the NYSC head, said the organization is ready to follow government rules. He suggested creating a database for Nigerian students studying abroad to spot fake graduates early. This idea could make the system even tighter and more effective.
Permanent Secretary Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan added that the Ministry will work closely with the NYSC. Their goal is to lift education standards nationwide, helping students and communities thrive.
This proposal could change how young Nigerians serve and grow. A two-year program might offer more skills and opportunities, but some wonder if it’s too long. The plan is still under discussion, and people are watching to see what happens next.