Speaking during the visit, Brigadier General Nafiu expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s support and reiterated NYSC’s commitment to aligning its operations with federal policy directions. He advocated for the creation of a centralized database for Nigerian students studying overseas to help identify and eliminate fake academic credentials.
Abuja, Nigeria — In a bid to boost national development and empower Nigerian youths, the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has proposed a significant overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), recommending an extension of the service duration from one year to two years.
Dr. Alausa made the proposal during a courtesy visit by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Akinyemi Nafiu, to the Ministry of Education headquarters in Abuja. According to an official statement shared on NYSC’s verified Facebook page, the minister stressed the need for an expanded Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme within the NYSC scheme.
The Education Minister said extending the service period would allow corps members to gain more hands-on experience and entrepreneurial skills, better positioning them as contributors to the nation’s economy. He commended the NYSC for its efforts so far and urged the scheme to further transform young graduates into job creators.
“You’ve done remarkably well as an organization. Let’s ensure that NYSC continues to offer young Nigerians the tools to become self-reliant and capable of meeting the pressing needs of our country,” Alausa stated.
As part of his reform proposals, the minister also highlighted the critical shortage of teachers in Nigeria’s rural areas, calling for the strategic deployment of graduate teachers to underserved communities to address the widening educational gap.
In tackling the longstanding issue of certificate fraud, especially among foreign-trained Nigerian graduates, Alausa applauded the NYSC for its proactive steps in digitalizing its mobilization and verification processes. He noted that these efforts have greatly improved transparency and accountability, helping to curb the menace of certificate racketeering.
The Minister further revealed ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Education to digitize the verification of academic credentials obtained by Nigerians abroad. He pledged continued collaboration with the NYSC to enhance service delivery and promote educational reforms nationwide.
Speaking during the visit, Brigadier General Nafiu expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s support and reiterated NYSC’s commitment to aligning its operations with federal policy directions. He advocated for the creation of a centralized database for Nigerian students studying overseas to help identify and eliminate fake academic credentials.
Also present at the meeting was the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, who assured that the Ministry would deepen its partnership with the agency to strengthen the country’s educational framework.
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