Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, is calling for a major change to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), one that could see the mandatory service period extended from one year to two.

Alausa proposed a recent meeting in Abuja with the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu. According to a statement released by NYSC spokesperson Caroline Embu, the minister believes the scheme can play a bigger role in equipping Nigerian graduates with practical skills for the workforce.

“You have done so well as an organization. Let NYSC give people more opportunity to become job creators that will meet the needs of the country,” he said.

The proposed extension would coincide with an expansion of the NYSC’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, which currently helps corps members build skills for self-reliance.

Alausa also praised the NYSC for resolving a long-standing issue that affected part-time Ordinary National Diploma (OND) graduates who later completed full-time Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) but were previously exempted from national service.

More Graduate Teachers, Stronger Education

Beyond the extension, Alausa emphasized the need to deploy more graduate teachers to underserved rural schools, noting that this could help address Nigeria’s persistent teacher shortage and improve education access in remote communities.

Tackling Fake Graduates & Data Gaps

In his remarks, Brigadier General Nafiu proposed the creation of a comprehensive database of Nigerian youths studying abroad. He said this would help keep accurate records and curb the growing issue of fake degrees and unverified qualifications among returnees.

The NYSC Director-General also reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to aligning with government policy and reforming its operations to meet national needs.

In response, the Minister shared that the Education Ministry is already working on a digital system to verify foreign-trained Nigerian graduates, a move aimed at streamlining the process and preventing fraud.

Both parties agreed to strengthen collaboration between the NYSC and the Ministry of Education, with a shared goal of improving youth development and national education outcomes.