Describing Nigerian youth as the nation’s most valuable resource for driving progress in education, healthcare, and economic development, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has advocated training of Corps members with market-ready stills.
To achieve this, he further proposed an extension of the National Youth Service year beyond the current 12 months.
The Minister made the suggestion during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Akinyemi Nafiu, and his delegation to the Federal Ministry of Education headquarters in Abuja.
Such an extension, he said, would serve as a strategic solution to unemployment by offering young Nigerians more time to acquire market-ready skills.
The Minister also noted that the initiative would enable corps members to make more meaningful contributions to national development while enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial potential.
Dr. Alausa, in a statement by Boriowo Folasade, Director Press & PR in the ministry, also suggested several key initiatives, including the Teacher’s Call—a programme aimed at engaging NCE holders as temporary teachers in underserved areas; the Rural Health Corps—designed to deploy corps members with medical training to rural communities; and a comprehensive reform of the NYSC orientation programme to incorporate vocational, entrepreneurial, agricultural, and ICT training to boost youth employability and reduce unemployment.
He re-affirmed his belief in the potentials of Nigeria youth as the greatest asset for advancing education and economic growth which can not be underestimated.
On her part, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, commended the NYSC for its pivotal role in maintaining educational standards and safeguarding the integrity of academic certificates, particularly amid rising concerns surrounding transnational education.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, praised both Honourable Ministers and the NYSC leadership for their shared vision and renewed commitment to collaboration.
He described the visit as a timely convergence of ideas that will drive sustainable solutions in education and youth development.
In his response, Brigadier General Nafiu expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s continued partnership and outlined ongoing reforms within the NYSC aimed at improving service delivery.
He sought for the establishment of a pre-departure database to monitor Nigerian students studying abroad, tackle certificate fraud, and uphold the integrity of qualifications.
The Director-General also lauded the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme and called for continued collaboration with the Ministry to strengthen education and youth empowerment.
"Both the Ministry and the NYSC leadership reaffirmed their joint commitment to reforms anchored on integrity, innovation, and youth-driven transformation." the statement concluded