The Federal Government has lifted restrictions on National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) postings, allowing corps members to serve in banks, government agencies, and private sector organizations.

This development was announced in a memo dated November 18, 2024, by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, to the NYSC Director General. The policy change will take effect with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation Course.

Previously, corps members were restricted to four sectors—education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure—under a policy introduced during former Minister Bolaji Abdullahi’s tenure. The restriction aimed to prevent the exploitation of corps members as cheap labor by private organizations.

However, Minister Olawande stated that the new directive aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for harmonizing government operations to meet developmental goals. He emphasized that the prior restrictions, while well-intentioned, limited corps members’ opportunities to gain specialized training in their fields of study, ultimately affecting their readiness for the job market.

To address Nigeria’s rising unemployment rates, the government has expanded posting opportunities to include placements that align with corps members’ courses of study, fostering skills development and enhancing their employability.

“This policy update ensures corps members receive relevant training and contribute meaningfully to the labor market while supporting national development,” Olawande noted.