The Federal Government has lifted the ban preventing graduates undergoing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from serving in private organizations, including the banking and oil and gas sectors.
Going by a memo issued by the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on Monday November 18, 2024, the new policy directive will take effect with the commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Orientation exercise and initially take effect in Lagos and Abuja only.
The discarded policy aimed at discouraging private companies from exploiting cheap labour while promoting public sector capacity building.
It had restricted corps members to only four sectors of the economy, including education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
However, according to Olawande, the new policy follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategy to combat rising youth unemployment by ensuring that government agencies aligned with the vision of his administration.
The memo reads: “There is an urgent need to review this policy to expand the opportunity and access for corps members to serve in places that are relevant to their areas of study. Without prejudice to the need to constantly review per prevailing realities, I now direct as follows: Lifting of all restrictions on postings.
“Posting of corps members to, as much as practicable, be in line with their course of study. Posting of corps members to select banks and other private sector organisations, including those operating in oil and gas, to commence with Abuja and Lagos. The directive contained herein will take effect from the date of commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course and applies in relation to any matter relating to the posting and distribution of corps members to Places of Primary Assignment.
“The now revoked policy has greatly hampered experience gathering that would effectively prepare them for the job market.”
