The Federal Government has lifted the ban restricting the posting of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to private sector organisations, allowing them to serve in sectors such as banking and oil and gas.
The decision was outlined in a memo issued by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on November 18, 2024.
The policy change, set to take effect with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ orientation exercise, reverses a directive implemented during the tenure of former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, which limited corps member postings to public sector roles in education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure. The previous policy sought to prevent private companies from exploiting corps members as cheap labour while promoting public sector capacity building.
In the memo, Olawande highlighted that the new directive aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to combat rising youth unemployment and ensure that NYSC postings contribute to skill-building and workforce readiness.
“There is an urgent need to review this policy to expand the opportunity and access for corps members to serve in places that are relevant to their areas of study,” the memo stated.
The policy shift will initially be implemented in Lagos and Abuja and will allow corps members to gain experience in their chosen fields of study, addressing concerns that previous restrictions hindered their career preparedness.
The memo further directed:
- Lifting all restrictions on postings to private sector organisations.
- Aligning postings with corps members’ fields of study as much as practicable.
- Posting corps members to select banks, oil and gas companies, and other private organisations in a phased rollout.
“This directive will take effect from the date of commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course and applies in relation to any matter relating to the posting and distribution of corps members to Places of Primary Assignment,” Olawande added.
