NYSC: Nigerian Senate moves to split service year

A bill to amend the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Act is being considered by the Nigerian Senate.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Stella Oduah representing Anambra North senatorial district, went through first reading on November 24, 2015 and second reading on May 17.

Deliberation is expected to continue any time soon and further deliberation may lead to its passage.
The bill seeks to split service year into two parts in order further develop NYSC members and sharpen their entrepreneurial skills.

The bill seeks to among other things, prepare Nigerian youths to rediscover their passions, talents and skills and not to dwell on their certificates.

The proposition for the service year to be divided is to enable corps members gain experience in the work environment in the first half and engage in free and compulsory acquisition of vocational skills in the second half.
Part of objectives of the bill is “to reduce unemployment among Nigerian graduates after their service year.”
It also seeks “to develop and place the graduates in the right direction and make them useful tools for the transformation of the economy.”