By Peace Udugba
The Executive Director of the Center for Responsive Governance, Ologun, has urged the Federal Government to suspend the proposed reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) until extensive public hearings are conducted, warning that the current approach could undermine the objectives of the scheme.
Ologun made the call on Monday during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State. He acknowledged that the NYSC requires reforms but insisted that any review must be inclusive, comprehensive and rooted in the scheme’s founding objectives.
According to him, the government should halt the reform process and first seek the views of stakeholders across the country through public consultations.
“The recommendation and the provision of it should be suspended until the right thing is done, which is getting opinions and ideas through public hearings by everyone interested and involved in youth development,” he said.
Ologun argued that while the NYSC has gradually lost some of its relevance, the government should avoid introducing piecemeal reforms that fail to address the programme’s fundamental challenges.
“There is no doubt that the NYSC has been due for review because it has almost lost its relevance and the original intent of its founding fathers. But when we eventually decide to address problems, we often fail to do so holistically,” he said.
He maintained that there was no urgency requiring the government to rush the reform process, stressing that meaningful changes should emerge from broad stakeholder engagement rather than hurried policy decisions.
“There’s nothing to rush about these reforms. Reforming the NYSC is a good idea, but there’s no reason to rush it. Let the proper changes be made,” he added.
The governance advocate further called on the Federal Government to involve youth organisations, professionals, advocacy groups and development partners before finalising any reform proposals, noting that such stakeholders possess valuable practical experience that could improve the scheme.
Ologun also questioned the emphasis being placed on entrepreneurship in the proposed reforms, arguing that entrepreneurship and business support programmes already exist within the NYSC framework.
According to him, corps members currently benefit from several intervention programmes that provide grants, loans, business registration support and entrepreneurial training.
“As I speak to you, there are several schemes within the NYSC that provide loans, grants and entrepreneurship support for young people. These programmes already exist, so why present them as entirely new ideas?” he queried.
He urged the government to strengthen and harmonise the existing initiatives instead of rebranding them as fresh reforms.
On the proposal to replace military leadership of the NYSC with civilian leadership, Ologun described the move as politically motivated and warned that it could erode one of the scheme’s greatest strengths—discipline.
He alleged that the current administration appeared more interested in creating additional political appointments than strengthening institutions.
“This administration seems to be looking for every means to create more opportunities for political appointments. That will not work,” he said.
Defending the continued involvement of the military in the orientation programme, Ologun said the regimented camp environment has, over the years, instilled discipline, responsibility and patriotism in young graduates.
“One of the greatest achievements of the NYSC has been discipline. No matter how undisciplined a young person is before camp, the three-week orientation instills a new lifestyle through routines, parades and structured activities,” he said.
He warned that removing the military and paramilitary structure from the scheme would weaken the orientation programme and create room for increased bureaucracy and political patronage.
“When you take that away, what is left? You are making a mess of the scheme. The discipline and regimented lifestyle that prepare young graduates for life beyond school should not be discarded.
Once politicians begin to dominate the scheme, bureaucracy and waste will inevitably increase,” Ologun stated.
