Sam Amadi, who leads the Abuja School of Social Thought and Politics, has argued that the one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program should transition from a mandatory requirement to a voluntary one. He shared these views during a recent appearance on News Central Television while discussing President Bola Tinubu’s proposed adjustments to the scheme.
According to Amadi, the current structure of the NYSC often functions as a source of inexpensive labor for private companies. He insists that any serious overhaul of the program must look past simple structural updates. Instead, he advocates for a complete redesign that emphasizes professional skills, literacy, and innovation to better support national development.
Amadi suggested that the program should be transformed into a competitive and prestigious status symbol, offering clear benefits to participants rather than remaining a compulsory obligation. He expressed concern that the current reform efforts lack a cohesive development strategy, leaving the platform inefficient and disconnected from Nigeria’s long-term growth needs.
