Professor Kila Calls for Complete NYSC Redesign

Professor Anthony Kila, a respected political economist and jurist, has criticised the Federal Government’s proposed NYSC reforms, describing them as “a wrong step in the right direction” and calling for a complete redesign of the scheme.

In an essay titled ‘NYSC Reforms are a Wrong Step in the Right Direction,’ Kila argued that updating the National Youth Service Corps is necessary but said the current proposals do not address the major challenges facing the programme.

The director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies noted that Nigeria in 2026 is very different from the country that created the scheme in 1973. He said the government’s plans focus mainly on administrative changes rather than a deeper transformation of national service in Nigeria.

“There is no doubt that reforming the NYSC is the right course of action. “The tragedy is that what has been presented as reform is, regrettably, a misstep in the right direction,” he stated.

Kila described the proposals as “the elephant giving birth to a rat”, arguing that Nigerians expected a bold rethink of the programme. He said extending orientation camps and adding training programmes do not answer the bigger question of what national service should represent in a country shaped by technology, insecurity, entrepreneurship and changing work patterns.

The professor also rejected the idea that graduates need another stage of basic development after completing higher education. He argued, “Graduates are not clueless street urchins waiting for the government to civilise them,” adding that universities should already provide intellectual and professional skills.

Kila identified the culture of seeking influential connections for preferred postings as a major weakness of the NYSC scheme. He wrote, “Their first lesson in adult civic life is not service. “It is gaming the system.”

As an alternative, he proposed a voluntary and prestigious national service programme that would attract committed participants. His model would involve postings at least 100 kilometres from participants’ homes, while including civic education, leadership training, emergency response, project management and community development.

He also suggested that participants complete measurable projects that benefit host communities. Kila dismissed changing the NYSC uniform as a priority, writing, “There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the khaki,” and adding, “Uniforms do not create patriotism. Purpose does.”

He urged the government to consult universities, employers, security experts, former corps members, community leaders and young Nigerians before introducing major changes.

Do you think a voluntary model would create a stronger national service programme for young Nigerians?