NYSC REFORMS UNDERMINE NATIONAL DEFENCE POLICY, BENUE LAWMAKER WARNS

A member of the House of Representatives from Benue State has warned that recent reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme could undermine Nigeria’s national defence policy by weakening the scheme’s role in fostering national unity and security consciousness among young Nigerians.

Hon. Terwase Dzeka, representing Konshisha/Vandeikya Federal Constituency, raised the alarm during a plenary session on Friday. He argued that proposed changes, including the reduction of the service period and relaxation of deployment rules, risk diluting the programme’s original objectives of promoting integration and preparing youths for national service.

“The NYSC is not just a youth development programme; it is a critical component of our national defence and unity architecture. Any reform that weakens its capacity to instil discipline and patriotism among our young people should be carefully reconsidered,” Dzeka stated.

The lawmaker called on the Federal Government to engage relevant stakeholders, including the military and security agencies, before finalising the reforms. He emphasised that the NYSC has historically played a vital role in exposing young graduates to different cultures and building a sense of national identity.

The NYSC Director General, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Fagge, had earlier defended the reforms, saying they were designed to make the programme more responsive to current realities, including security concerns in certain parts of the country. He assured that the core values of the scheme would not be compromised.

However, several lawmakers and youth groups have expressed similar concerns as Hon. Dzeka, urging the government to prioritise national interest over administrative convenience.

The debate over NYSC reforms has intensified in recent weeks, with stakeholders divided on the best approach to modernising the 52-year-old programme. As the National Assembly continues to engage on the matter, the warning from the Benue lawmaker has added a security dimension to the ongoing conversation about the future of the NYSC.