The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, has announced a proposal for a two-year voluntary national service initiative aimed at empowering holders of the National Certificate of Education (NCE).
The program is designed to address youth unemployment and provide essential support to the education and healthcare sectors.
In a recent meeting with officials from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), led by Director-General Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, Alausa outlined key initiatives, including the creation of a Teachers Corps to deploy NCE holders to underserved areas.
“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,” Alausa said in a statement.
The voluntary program would be open to NCE graduates who meet the age requirements of the NYSC. Additionally, Alausa proposed a Rural Health Corps initiative, which would involve healthcare professionals extending their service by one year to help address gaps in rural healthcare.
Alausa emphasized the importance of Nigerian youth, saying, “The youth represent the nation’s most valuable resource, crucial to advancing sectors like education, healthcare, and economic development.”
In response, NYSC DG Nafiu expressed support for the initiative, highlighting ongoing reforms to improve service delivery.
Alausa also called for reforms in the NYSC orientation program, suggesting the inclusion of vocational training, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and ICT skills to boost youth employability.
The proposal, which also includes an optional 12-month extension for corps members to acquire market-ready skills, is part of a broader strategy to reduce unemployment and foster national development.