After the civil war, the government came up with the NYSC to bind the different ethic groups in Nigeria together. However, the scheme was established when the predominant source of income for the graduate was government employment. People hardly had plans of their own. They solely depended on the government and large corporations for income. It was at a time when there was no competition. The number of people who sought higher education was little and the industry evolved very slowly.
37 years after, many of these conditions have changed. Though government is still a massive employer, it is no longer the major. Many private corporations have risen to share the responsibility with the government. But government has continued to term the scheme 'compulsory.'
Honestly, this scheme has transformed the nation. Development has reached unimaginable locations, people from various ethnic backgrounds have met, become friends and even family. Government has got hands to carry out special projects. In fact, I strongly believe that the scheme is one reason Nigeria is still united. But is this sufficient reason to put an abrupt end to a group of people who are bound to transform Nigeria's economy? Is this sufficient reason to sabotage a honest effort to innovate and probably ease Nigeria of a few more employment burdens?
Gradually and over the years, the industry have evolved faster than the educational system. Consequently, knowledge delivered by our institutions became obsolete. Employers, including the government, have created additional trainings to make graduates fit to work. Because of this, students no longer wait to finish school to partake in this additional trainings. Hence, they become employable even before they finish school. But before they get hold of themselves, their career hits a brick wall when the government requires them to leave compulsorily for a year.
Unlike the early days of the compulsory youth service, the industry evolves almost daily. Also, the competition is so much that as much as a hundred people at least seek your current position. One month away from your work makes you outdated and more likely to be replaced. If one month can do such damage, how much more one year?
Entrepreneurs suffer the most. They are separated from their business. They are separated from their market. They are taken away from the environment they have mastered. Since most businesses are conceived to serve an environment, a new location will have a devastating effect. Many of their businesses cannot be adapted for the rural areas to which they will be posted. Since most entrepreneurs are emotionally attached to their infant businesses, the government ends up creating broken corp members who, if eventually they agree to serve, will serve half heartedly. These are people who have refused to be a burden to the government and yet the government forced and is struggling to put them on payroll.
Subsidized professional exams have solved the problem of people being outdated after one year service. Skill acquisition and entrepreneurial development have created a leverage for people who intend to be entrepreneurs. However, there is no provision for those with businesses already. This is a major issue the government should look into. Career and business are very important issues and a sensitive government should take this aspects if its citizens' life seriously.
There are quite a number of solutions the government can consider:
Firstly, government can offer businessmen the option of redeployment for their business' sake. Career is very important. It is an integral part of the society just like family. It should be given due consideration.
Secondly, the scheme should no longer be compulsory. This can be a great and very unpredictable move at the same time. This can be complemented by making the scheme a requirement for those seeking government employment.
Thirdly, if the compulsory status is to be maintained, corp members should be posted to relevant ppa. This can help prevent 'career gap' that one year off the field can cause.
The impact of this decision, if made, will benefit not just the graduates but also the government. This will largely reduce government expenditure. Also, unemployment will be reduced. Infant businesses would have grown considerably in one year if nurtured but will reduce to ruins if abandoned for that long.
In one year, the small business would have been able to sustain one or more families. But if abandoned, the entrepreneur is likely to be unemployed and his family in starvation.
If the youth service scheme is not compulsory, the camps will be less congested and the orientation itself more effective.
My heart goes out to entrepreneurs whose businesses are on hold because of their dedication to Nigeria. I hope you find a honest way to get back to your business or better still generate another idea that can thrive in your new location.
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