As NYSC marks its 50th anniversary, here is the history of NYSC in Nigeria! The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a one-year compulsory national service program for graduates of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It was established in 1973 by the Nigerian government to promote national unity and development.
The NYSC was created in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). The war had a devastating impact on the country, and it left Nigeria deeply divided along ethnic and regional lines. The NYSC was seen as a way to help heal the wounds of the war and to promote national unity.
The NYSC program is open to all Nigerian citizens who have graduated from a tertiary institution with a minimum of a second-class lower division. Corps members are deployed to different parts of the country, where they are required to work and live with people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The NYSC program has been credited with helping to promote national unity and understanding in Nigeria. However, it has also been criticized for being a waste of time and resources. Some critics argue that the program is not effective in promoting national unity and that it actually serves to reinforce ethnic and regional divisions.
Despite the criticisms, the NYSC remains an important part of Nigerian society. The program has helped to create a sense of national identity among Nigerian youth, and it has helped to promote understanding and tolerance between different ethnic and religious groups.
Here are some of the key milestones in the history of NYSC in Nigeria:
- 1973: The NYSC is established by Decree No. 24 of May 22.
- 1974: The first batch of corps members are deployed to different parts of the country.
- 1975: The NYSC anthem is composed by Fela Sowande.
- 1984: The NYSC is extended to include graduates of polytechnics.
- 1993: The NYSC Act is passed by the National Assembly.
- 2000: The NYSC website is launched.
- 2010: The NYSC celebrates its 35th anniversary.
- 2015: The NYSC introduces the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program.
- 2020: The NYSC celebrates its 45th anniversary.
The NYSC has come a long way since its inception in 1973. It has played a significant role in promoting national unity and development in Nigeria. The program is still facing challenges, but it remains an important part of Nigerian society.
