By Hauwau Shehu Maikeffi
In response to recent discussions about extending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program from one to two years, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has emphasized the importance of focusing on making the existing one-year service more impactful. Speaking at the 2025 NYSC Annual Management Conference in Abuja, Olawande highlighted the need to equip corps members with skills that enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capabilities. 
Olawande proposed the introduction of a National Internship Scheme aimed at providing young Nigerians with valuable work experience. He stressed that the emphasis should be on the quality of the service year rather than its duration, advocating for reforms that focus on skill acquisition and self-empowerment.  
The Minister acknowledged existing challenges within the NYSC framework, including inadequate treatment of corps members at their places of primary assignment, subpar living conditions, and insufficient allowances. He called for sincerity and improved management of the NYSC system to address these issues effectively. 
The discussion about extending the NYSC program’s duration has elicited varied opinions. While the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, suggested extending the service year to two years to expand the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program, Olawande disagrees, emphasizing the need for a more impactful one-year service.
Minister Ayodele Olawande’s stance underscores a commitment to enhancing the NYSC program’s effectiveness by focusing on the quality of training and experiences provided to corps members. By advocating for reforms and the introduction of initiatives like the National Internship Scheme, the aim is to better prepare Nigerian youths for the demands of the contemporary job market and entrepreneurial landscape. 
