- The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, proposes a two-year voluntary national service for NCE holders
- The initiative aims to deploy NCE graduates to underserved areas as temporary teachers
- He also proposes that corps members may opt for a 12-month extension to gain additional market-ready skills
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, has unveiled a proposal for a two-year voluntary national service programme targeted at graduates with the National Certificate of Education (NCE), in a bid to engage youth in national development and address gaps in the education sector.
The proposal was discussed during a strategic meeting with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) leadership, led by Director-General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo, the initiative includes the creation of a Teachers Corps programme.
Under this scheme, eligible NCE holders would be voluntarily deployed to underserved communities as temporary teachers.
The aim is to support struggling schools, particularly in rural areas, while providing young educators with the opportunity to gain experience and contribute meaningfully to society.
Dr. Alausa described Nigerian youth as the country’s most valuable resource, with a pivotal role to play in sectors such as education, healthcare, and economic development.
“The Teachers Corps is designed to bridge the educational gap in underserved areas and equip NCE graduates with practical teaching experience,” he stated.
Beyond education, the Minister also proposed the launch of a Rural Health Corps, which would allow medical professionals, nurses, doctors, dentists, and pharmacists, who have completed their mandatory NYSC service, to extend their service by an additional voluntary year in rural health facilities.
This initiative aims to improve healthcare delivery in hard-to-reach areas.
Dr. Alausa also called for a reform of the NYSC orientation programme.
The proposed changes would include training in vocational skills, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and information and communications technology, with the goal of boosting employability and reducing youth unemployment.
He further recommended a voluntary 12-month extension to the current NYSC programme.
This would give interested corps members extra time to develop practical, market-relevant skills and make greater contributions to national development.
“These initiatives are not just about service, they are strategic moves to tackle youth unemployment and empower young Nigerians with the skills they need to thrive in today’s economy,” Alausa said.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, also praised the NYSC for its ongoing efforts in sustaining educational quality and preserving the integrity of academic qualifications, an issue that has gained attention amid concerns over the legitimacy of transnational education.
Permanent Secretary Abel Enitan expressed support for the proposed initiatives and emphasised the need for continued collaboration between the Ministry of Education and NYSC.
He described the meeting as a timely convergence of ideas for sustainable educational and youth development solutions.
In response, the NYSC DG appreciated the Ministry’s continued support and highlighted ongoing NYSC reforms to enhance service delivery.
He also introduced plans to establish a pre-departure database to track Nigerian students studying abroad, tackle certificate fraud, and protect the credibility of Nigerian qualifications.
Nafiu further emphasised the success of the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, calling for stronger partnerships to deepen its impact.
Both the Ministry of Education and the NYSC reaffirmed their commitment to reform, focusing on integrity, innovation, and empowering Nigerian youth for national transformation.
HND graduates demand equal rights, protest exclusion from NYSC
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that full-time Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates who had previously completed part-time National Diploma (ND) programmes staged a protest against their proposed exclusion from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
The protesters demanded inclusion, citing the struggles of transitioning from part-time ND to full-time HND studies.
