By Monsurat Abisoye
The National Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) into a platform for wealth creation, enterprise development and innovation among young Nigerian graduates.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, Martin Esin, made this known during an oversight visit by the committee to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Port Harcourt.
Esin disclosed that the National Assembly has passed the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, which is currently awaiting Presidential assent. According to him, the proposed fund will improve the scheme’s infrastructure and operational capacity, support skills acquisition and retraining programmes, and provide corps members with access to capital after their service year.
He described the trust fund as one of the most significant reforms in the history of the NYSC, saying it would reposition the scheme beyond national service to focus on youth empowerment and enterprise development.
The lawmaker also praised the NYSC management and staff for successfully organising orientation camps nationwide despite challenging conditions. He congratulated the corps members on their mobilisation and urged them to play active roles in national development amid ongoing economic reforms, technological changes and security challenges.
Esin noted that the 10th House of Representatives has prioritised youth development by supporting initiatives that promote education, innovation, employment and social cohesion. He cited the recent increase in corps members’ monthly allowance to N77,000 in line with the national minimum wage as part of efforts to improve their welfare.
He further reminded corps members that many of them would likely participate in the conduct of the 2027 general elections through assignments by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
