FG lifts ban restricting corps members from serving in banks, others

Members of the National Youth Service Corps can now be sent to private sector organisations, such as banks and oil and gas businesses, after the federal government repealed the rule that limited their posting to the public sector. 

Ayodele Olawande, the Minister for Youth Development, stated in a memo dated November 18, 2024, that the new policy directive will go into force when the 2024 Batch "C" Orientation exercise begins. 

Restricting corps members to just four economic sectors—education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure—was the previous policy put in place under former Youth and Sports Development Minister Bolaji Abdullahi. 

Its goal was to deter private companies from taking advantage of cheap labour while fostering the development of public sector capacity.

The memo read in parts, “There is an urgent need to review this policy to expand the opportunity and access for corps members to serve in places that are relevant to their areas of study. Without prejudice to the need to constantly review per prevailing realities, I now direct as follows: Lifting of all restrictions on postings.

“Posting of corps members to, as much as practicable, be in line with their course of study. Posting of corps members to select banks and other private sector organisations, including those operating in oil and gas, to commence with Abuja and Lagos. The directive contained herein will take effect from the date of commencement of the 2024 Batch ‘C Orientation Course and applies in relation to any matter relating to the posting and distribution of corps members to Places of Primary Assignment.

“The now revoked policy has greatly hampered experience gathering that would effectively prepare them for the job market.”

Source