The Director-General stated that management is committed to enhancing efficiency and embracing digital solutions for seamless mobilization exercises in the scheme.
Minister of Youth Jamila Ibrahim pledged to continue partnering with the scheme to ensure its successful implementation of its ambitious goals.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC, has made a plea for continued assistance from various parties in an effort to stop the mobilisation of graduates who are not eligible for national service.
It stated that they represent a severe threat to the nation’s socioeconomic security, particularly if they are permitted to infiltrate the labour force of delicate industries like healthcare and education.
The NYSC’s concern is rooted in the belief that mobilizing graduates who are not eligible for national service poses a severe threat to the nation’s socioeconomic security. The integrity of the NYSC scheme, which has been a cornerstone of Nigeria’s youth development strategy since its inception in 1973, is at stake. Allowing ineligible individuals into the program compromises the very essence of the NYSC’s mission and the positive impact it aims to have on the nation.
One of the major concerns raised by the NYSC is the potential infiltration of ineligible graduates into delicate industries such as healthcare and education. These sectors play a pivotal role in the development and well-being of the nation, and any compromise in the quality of personnel poses a significant risk. Infiltration of ineligible individuals into these sectors could lead to a decline in the standard of services provided, negatively impacting the health and education of the population.
The Director-General’s emphasis on enhancing efficiency and embracing digital solutions reflects the NYSC’s commitment to modernizing its processes. By leveraging digital technologies, the NYSC aims to streamline the mobilization exercise, ensuring that only eligible graduates are enlisted. This commitment is not only a step towards preventing fraud but also an acknowledgment of the changing landscape of technology in service delivery.
During the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Mobilization Workshop, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, made this appeal in his welcome speech,with the theme “Unlocking Innovative Solutions to the Challenges of the Mobilization Process”, held in Abuja.
The Director-General said the management is committed to repositioning the scheme for greater efficiency and will continue to embrace innovations, especially digital solutions that will ensure seamless mobilization exercises.
He stated further that the physical verification exercise and other measures adopted by NYSC has gone a long way in exposing fake graduates, including those claiming to be foreign-trained.
“I would like to assure everyone that we remain unwaivering in our determination to block any threat to the credibility of the mobilization, including attempts by unqualified persons to get enlisted for National Service.
“Over the years, we have blacklisted local and foreign institutions found to be engaged in fraudulent practices, in addition to making formal reports on their activities to regulatory authorities”, the DG said.
In her introductory address, the Director, Corps Mobilization Department, Hajiya Walida Siddique Isa, urged the Student Affairs Officers to ensure that they transmit the true reflection of the bio-data and academic profile of their Prospective Corps Members on the NYSC portal.
In his goodwill message, the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Barrister Nyesom Wike, opined that there is the need for the adoption of innovative strategies to surmount the observed challenges and engage the best practices in the deployment of young graduates in national development efforts.
Wike, who was represented by the Mandate Secretary, Hon. Ibrahim Aminu commended the NYSC Management for the adoption of ICT solutions in its operations.
While declaring the workshop open, the Minister for Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio-Ibrahim said NYSC ranks among the most enduring platforms that have played a significant role in promoting national unity.
She added that the on-going efforts by the Scheme in combating the issue of fake certificates through rigorous verification process showcase the Scheme’s commitment to upholding integrity.
“Let this workshop catalyze positive change as we collectively forge a path towards a more secured and trustworthy NYSC programme”, the Minister said.
The Pre-Mobilization Workshop is an annual event which brings together the Scheme, Corps Producing Institutions and other stakeholders like the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), National Universities Commission, NUC, Federal Ministry of Education together to brainstorm and strategize for continuous improvement in the mobilization process.
