A Year Of Service

Mandatory services vary from one country to another. In my country, one of the mandatory services requires university graduates to serve their country for a year. This service is known as the National Youth Service Corps, a program that was established to keep graduates’ hands busy and also to utilize their talents before they go into the outside world. I’m certain there are other reasons why this program was established, but these are the ones I am familiar with. According to my research, the National Youth Service Corps was established in 1973. Although I am still a university student yet to serve my country, I know a few things about this program. I remember the time my sisters went for this program. Just last year, my brother also completed his own. Over the years, I’ve had many friends go for this program, and whenever they come back, I’m always eager to hear their stories.

According to my friends, siblings, and also stories I have read online, the national service starts with a 3 week program. Before this period, graduates are posted to different locations, scattered all over the country. Here is where the first issue comes in. One of the problems with this mandatory service in my country is insecurity. The government endangers the lives of citizens by sending them to states where terrorists are prowling, looking for whom to devour. I’ve heard so many stories of people who got kidnapped on their way to their posted states. Some have even been killed. A few years ago, I read a news article on Twitter about how an 18-passenger bus carrying corps members got ambushed by terrorists. The northern part of Nigeria is known for its high rate of its terrorist attacks. Yet, the government keeps sending citizens there without adequate protection. I remember how my parents and sister were so sad and concerned when my sisters got posted to a northern state for their 3 weeks program.

However, the 3 weeks program is known to be educational and fun. The aim of the 3 weeks program is to prepare Corps members for the outside world, physically, socially, and mentally. Military officials are in charge of the program, so trust them to discipline youths who try to prove stubborn. The program is filled with so many cultural and social activities. The corp members participate in dance, football, volleyball, basketball, chess, and other games. Every year, I see pictures of how fun the 3-week program is, and it makes me look forward to my time. The military officials also train members in self defense .

After the 3 week program, members are posted to different states where they’ll carry out their primary assignments. Corps members are posted to rural areas. I understand that the aim of posting them to rural areas is to help contribute towards the development and growth of the areas, but there is a big hole that needs filling in that aspect. Usually, Corps members are posted to rural communities where there are no social amenities like good water, electricity, and so on. How do you expect them to survive a year in such a place?

Every month (until the 12th month when the service ends), the government pays the Corps members an allowance for their services. This pay is officially called an allowance, or as Corps members like to call it, “allawee” It is similar to a civil servant receiving salaries for their services. In 2022, the government increased the minimum wage and started paying Corps members 33 thousand naira. Prior to that time, the allowance was 19 thousand. In my opinion, 33k is barely not enough money for corps members, especially with the economic situation of the country. 33 thousand naira is not even enough to buy foodstuff, let alone cover the transportation costs to the workplace. About a month ago, I read on Twitter that the government is planning to increase the minimum wage and NYSC allowance from 33 thousand naira to 77 thousand naira. I don’t know how true this is, but I really hope this works out.

This is just about all I know about the NYSC program. I'm pretty sure there are other details I haven't mentioned, but I believe these are the most important ones.

I made the thumbnail using MetaAi.

Thanks for reading.