The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, has proposed the establishment of a new initiative aimed at empowering holders of the National Certificate of Education (NCE) through a two-year voluntary national service programme.
This proposal, which is part of a broader strategy to engage youth in national development, was discussed during a meeting with officials from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), led by the Director-General, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu.
In a statement released by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo, Alausa outlined several key initiatives, including the creation of a Teachers Corps.
This programme would see NCE holders temporarily deployed as teachers in underserved areas, providing critical support to the education sector.
The initiative would be voluntary and open to NCE graduates who meet the age requirements of the NYSC.
Alausa, in his remarks, emphasized that Nigerian youth represent the nation’s most valuable resource, crucial to advancing sectors like education, healthcare, and economic development.
“The Teachers Corps is aimed at addressing the shortage of educators in rural and underserved regions, while also providing NCE holders with an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their communities,” he said.
In addition to the Teachers Corps, the minister proposed the Rural Health Corps, a programme designed to engage nurses, doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who have completed their mandatory NYSC service but wish to extend their service by one year.
This extension would allow these healthcare professionals to serve in rural communities, addressing gaps in healthcare access across the country.
Alausa also called for a comprehensive reform of the NYSC orientation programme, which would incorporate training in vocational skills, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and information and communications technology.
These additions aim to enhance youth employability and reduce unemployment rates.
Furthermore, Alausa suggested an optional 12-month extension to the current NYSC year, giving corps members more time to acquire market-ready skills and make more substantial contributions to national development.
“These initiatives are designed to tackle youth unemployment head-on, while providing young Nigerians with opportunities to gain essential skills that will make them more competitive in the job market,” Alausa added.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, commended the NYSC for its vital role in maintaining educational standards and ensuring the integrity of academic certificates.
This is particularly important amid growing concerns over the validity of transnational education.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan, also welcomed the new initiatives, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the NYSC.
He described the discussions as a timely convergence of ideas aimed at driving sustainable solutions in both education and youth development.
The NYSC DG, in his response, expressed gratitude for the ministry’s continued support and highlighted ongoing NYSC reforms to improve service delivery.
Nafiu also discussed plans for establishing a pre-departure database to monitor Nigerian students studying abroad, address certificate fraud, and uphold the integrity of qualifications.
The DG further praised the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, underscoring the importance of strengthening the partnership with the Ministry to foster education and youth empowerment.
Both the Ministry of Education and the NYSC leadership reiterated their shared commitment to reforms centered around integrity, innovation, and youth-driven transformation.
The PUNCH
