The Federal Government has removed the ban that stopped National Youth Service Corps members from serving in private sector organisations, such as banks and oil and gas companies.
This new policy was announced in a memo from the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, dated November 18, 2024. It will begin with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation exercise.
The previous restriction, introduced by former Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, aimed to prevent private companies from exploiting cheap labour. It focused on posting corps members to public sector jobs in education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
Olawande explained that the change is part of President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to reduce youth unemployment by providing corps members with opportunities to gain relevant work experience in their chosen fields.
“There is an urgent need to review this policy to expand opportunities for corps members to serve in areas that match their course of study,” the memo stated.
The new directive allows postings to select private sector organizations, starting in Lagos and Abuja, and aims to help youths better prepare for the job market.
Olawande noted, “The now-revoked policy has greatly hampered experience gathering that would effectively prepare them for the job market.”
