*says national interest must be protected
The National Alliance for Democracy (NAD) has called on General Yakubu Gowon, the founder of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and all former Presidents of Nigeria to urgently intervene in the ongoing proposed reforms of the scheme.
The group expressed deep concern that some aspects of the reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council could undermine the core objectives of national unity, integration, and cohesion for which the NYSC was established in 1973.
In a statement signed by Dr. Lucky Eremosele, National Convener of the NAD, the group urged these elder statesmen to quickly meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that any changes to the NYSC are carried out strictly in line with the broader national interest and the founding ideals of the programme.
“General Yakubu Gowon and our former Presidents have a historic responsibility to protect the NYSC as a symbol of Nigerian unity. We call on them to immediately intervene by engaging President Tinubu on these reforms,” said Dr. Lucky Eremosele.
“The proposed changes, while claiming to modernise the scheme, risk diluting its primary purpose of fostering national integration. National interest must supersede any rushed alterations that could weaken this vital institution. ”
The group acknowledged the need for modernisation but warned against reforms that shift the NYSC too far towards commercial or skills-only focus at the expense of its unity mandate.
They highlighted the current security challenges and ethno-religious tensions across the country, noting that the NYSC’s traditional deployment model has played a crucial role in promoting understanding among Nigeria’s diverse population.
According to NAD, any comprehensive reform should involve wider stakeholder consultations, including input from the founding generation, traditional rulers, youth organisations, and civil society, rather than being driven solely by executive approval.
“We appeal to General Gowon, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and other former leaders to rise to the occasion. Their meeting with President Tinubu will help guide the process towards sustainable reforms,” Dr. Eremosele stated.
“National interest must be protected at all costs. The NYSC is not just a youth programme; it is a nation-building tool that must not be compromised under the guise of reform,” he continued.
The alliance emphasised that the scheme has contributed immensely to post-civil war reconciliation and continues to serve as a platform for young Nigerians to experience the diversity of the country.
They expressed fears that civilian leadership, shortened or overly specialised orientation, and risk-sensitive deployments could inadvertently promote division or reduce inter-ethnic exposure.
NAD further called for a thorough review of the proposed technology-driven mobilisation and specialised career streams to ensure they do not create new forms of inequality or exclude certain graduates from meaningful national service.
“President Tinubu means well for the youth, but the voice of experience from General Gowon and former Presidents is indispensable at this critical moment,” Dr. Eremosele noted.
“We believe their wise counsel will ensure that reforms strengthen rather than weaken the NYSC. Nigeria’s unity remains non-negotiable, and these leaders must help safeguard it,” the National Convener declared.
The group commended corps members for their resilience and service over the decades while urging the government to prioritise their safety, welfare, and the scheme’s original philosophy in any review process.
They warned that poorly implemented reforms could erode public trust in national institutions.
“Any reform must pass the test of national interest. We stand ready to support progressive changes that enhance the NYSC without sacrificing its soul,” Dr. Eremosele affirmed.
“The intervention of General Gowon and former Presidents will provide the moral authority and historical perspective needed to navigate this sensitive issue successfully,” he concluded.
