Former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have urged the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of orientation camps and improve funding for the scheme before implementing reforms that could significantly increase its operational costs.
The appeal was made by the Reform NYSC Campaign (RNC), a coalition of former corps members and civil society organisations, which expressed concerns over reports that proposed reforms could raise the annual cost of running the scheme beyond ₦1 trillion.
In a statement jointly signed by the campaign’s coordinator, Godsown Aigbe, and spokesperson, Mariam Idris, the group said many orientation camps across the country suffer from inadequate accommodation, poor water supply, insufficient healthcare facilities and sanitation challenges.
The coalition called for a comprehensive assessment of all camps and the implementation of a phased rehabilitation programme to improve living conditions for corps members.
It also advocated increased funding for corps members’ welfare, including allowances, healthcare services, transportation, insurance and security.
According to the group, strengthening the existing structure of the NYSC and addressing pressing welfare concerns should take precedence over reforms that may create additional expenditure without delivering corresponding benefits.
The campaign urged the National Assembly to intensify oversight of NYSC funding and ensure effective implementation of budgetary allocations to the scheme.
