CISLAC Backs NYSC Reforms, Calls For Transparency, Strong Implementation

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has described the Federal Government’s approval of comprehensive reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as an opportunity to reposition the scheme “to better respond to contemporary realities”.

The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, said this on Tuesday in Abuja while reacting to the reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), noting that effective implementation would determine their impact.

Rafsanjani told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the reforms, if transparently implemented, could strengthen graduates’ employability, reduce youth unemployment and align the scheme more closely with national development priorities.

“CISLAC particularly welcomes the government’s decision to strengthen skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and career development within the NYSC framework,” he said.

He said that although the NYSC had, for more than five decades, promoted national unity and cultural integration, rising unemployment, insecurity and technological disruption now required urgent restructuring.

Rafsanjani commended the planned digitalisation of NYSC operations, describing it as critical to improving transparency, efficiency and service delivery, while also reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and corruption risks.

“A transparent and technology-driven system can reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, curb corruption in mobilisation and deployment processes and strengthen public confidence in the scheme,” he said.

He emphasised that the welfare and security of corps members must remain central to the reform process, given the prevailing security challenges in several parts of the country.

“No reform of the NYSC can succeed without credible measures that guarantee the safety and dignity of corps members,” he said.

Rafsanjani urged the Federal Government to base deployment decisions on clear security assessments while strengthening emergency response systems and insurance protection for participants.

He also supported plans to introduce specialised service streams but warned against possible abuse, political interference or preferential treatment during implementation.

“The programme must not create new avenues for political patronage or preferential treatment,” he said.

According to him, placement into specialised streams should be guided strictly by merit, transparency and labour market needs, with equal opportunity for all corps members.

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Rafsanjani further called for broad stakeholder consultations before any amendment of the NYSC Act, emphasising that reforms must be inclusive and participatory.

“Youth organisations, civil society groups, employers, educational institutions, development partners and former corps members should be meaningfully consulted before the reforms are codified into law,” he said.

He also warned that without sustained funding, the reforms risk becoming policy declarations without measurable outcomes.

Rafsanjani advocated the introduction of clear performance indicators and an independent monitoring and evaluation framework to track the impact of the reforms on employment, skills development and national integration.

He said the NYSC must retain its founding role as an instrument of national cohesion while adapting to modern economic and social realities.

“The scheme should continue to promote intercultural understanding, civic responsibility, constitutional values and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians,” he said.

He added that the success of the reforms would depend on transparency, accountability, adequate funding and sustained engagement with stakeholders.

“The reform process must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of corps members and contribute to building a more productive, inclusive, secure and united Nigeria,” he said.

NAN reports that the FEC on Monday approved the comprehensive reform of the NYSC to align the scheme with Nigeria’s current development priorities.

The Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, said the reforms would strengthen digital operations, improve corps members’ welfare and security, expand skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, and redesign the passing-out parade into a graduation ceremony.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru