National Youth Service Corps Programme and the Quest for National Integration: Issues for Policy Consideration

Abstract

Abstract
Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi religious nation and sadly all these
diversities have impacted adversely on her socio-political existence. The events of
1966–1970 call to question the unity and continued existence of Nigeria as an
ethnically segmented nation. The Federal Military Government led by General Yakubu
Gowon (rtd.) established the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme as a
means of achieving national integration in the face of mutual suspicion and hostility.
Adopting the descriptive analytical method, this paper identifies insecurity, general
discontent among parents, inadequate facilities, poor funding, and rejection of corps
members among others as challenges confronting the programme. The paper therefore
recommends improved funding of the programme, greater and sincere fight against
insecurity, ethical re-orientation and religious tolerance as panacea to the challenges
being faced by NYSC.