By Michael Agbaji
The House of Representatives has urge the Federal Government to support the discharged NYSC Members to help in reducing unemployment in Nigeria.
The House resolution was sequel to a motion by Hon. Muhammad Muktar who represents Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankashi Federal Constituency of Jigawa State.
Accordin to Hon. Muhammad Muktar why speaking to journalists in an interview that he was compelled to come out with this motion because there is no support to corps members from the NYSC program to the labour market which poses a lot of challenges.
Hon. Muhammad Muktar noted that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), under the Federal Ministry of Youth and
Sports Development, plays a significant role in helping graduates acquire skills by allowing them to
gain real-world experiences.
He says ,the places of primary assignment where corps members are posted enable them to acquire practical skills and experiences that correspond with their level of education and work habits,
and possibly lead them to direct contact with potential employers;
“The NYSC program is important in preparing graduates’ transition into the labour market, providing a perfect juncture to deploy policies to enhance graduates’ lives;
“Cognizant that the NYSC monthly allowances given to corps members help cushion the hardship
they face and give them the enabling environment to plan for the future. Nevertheless, after the
NYSC convocation, most graduates find it difficult to face the reality of not receiving monthly
allowances or other NYSC privileges,” Muktar said.
He said “the transition of corps members from the NYSC program to the labour market without any allowances to support them is fraught with challenges. This is because graduates looking for
their first job are generally among the most vulnerable groups in the labour market because of increased competition and the reality that vacancies are preferentially filled by people who already
have work experience;
“Further notes that helping graduates to enter and remain in the labour market is an important part of
policies, as they help to promote economic growth and obtain better living conditions;
“Again notes that successful employment benefits young people not only for national welfare but also
for social connections and mental health, promoting rapid social connections;
“Also aware that the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) predicts 37% unemployment and
45% poverty by 2023, highlighting economic challenges;
“Concerned that the rate of unemployment will continue to rise due to slow economic growth and the
inability of the economy to absorb the four to five million new entrants into the Nigerian market
annually;
“The longer a person is unemployed, the higher the risk that such a person will
lose work habits and faith in their abilities or will even build a passive attitude toward the need to
be employed,” he said.
Following his motion the House resolved to urge the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to undertake a Survey and develop a Database that would track the Employment status of graduates and Corps Members, which
will be essential for evidence-based decision-making.
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development through the NYSC scheme
to liaise with the under-listed Ministries and develop a workable plan that would ensure Corps Members are retained in their Primary place of assignment (PPA) for one year after their
mandatory service; thus allowing graduates to find employment opportunities
The ministries include Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; Federal Ministry of Education; and Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
It further urged the Executive Arm of Government to create a body under the supervision of the
Ministries of Youth and Education to coordinate the screening and payment/disbursement
processes.
The House mandated its Committees on Youths, Labour, Employment and Productivity (when
constituted) to monitor the implementation of the jointly developed plan.
