The National Assembly has said the proposed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund will transform the scheme from a platform for national service into a catalyst for entrepreneurship, innovation and wealth creation for young Nigerian graduates.
Martin Esin, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, stated this during an oversight visit by committee members to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Port Harcourt.
Esin said the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, which has been passed by the National Assembly and is awaiting Presidential assent, represents one of the most significant reforms in the history of the scheme.
According to him, the Trust Fund will provide sustainable financing to improve NYSC infrastructure and operational capacity, strengthen skills acquisition programmes and facilitate access to start-up capital for corps members after completing their national service.
“When assented to by the President, the Trust Fund will transform the NYSC from primarily being a platform for national service into one focused on wealth creation, enterprise development and youth empowerment,” he said.
Esin noted that the NYSC has, for more than five decades, played a critical role in promoting national unity by bringing together young Nigerians from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
He commended the Director-General and staff of the scheme for their commitment to organising orientation camps and managing the mobilisation of thousands of corps members across the country despite operational challenges.
Addressing the newly mobilised corps members, the lawmaker described them as one of Nigeria’s greatest assets at a time the country is pursuing economic reforms, technological advancement and institutional transformation.
“You represent some of the brightest hopes of our country. A nation that invests in its young people is investing in its future,” he said.
Esin said youth development remains a key priority of the 10th House of Representatives, which has continued to support initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for education, innovation, employment, entrepreneurship and social cohesion.
Among such initiatives, he highlighted the recent increase in corps members’ monthly allowance to ₦77,000 in line with the new national minimum wage.
According to him, the enhanced allowance is expected to improve the welfare of corps members and encourage greater commitment to national service.
He added that the proposed Trust Fund would complement the allowance increase by equipping corps members with practical skills, entrepreneurship training and financial support needed to establish businesses after service.
Esin stressed that the proposed reforms are intended to position the NYSC as a stronger contributor to national development by producing graduates who are better equipped to create jobs rather than depend solely on paid employment.
He also reminded corps members of the important role they are expected to play in Nigeria’s democratic process, noting that many of them would likely be engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2027 general elections.
He urged them to discharge their responsibilities with patriotism, integrity and professionalism whenever called upon to serve.
The proposed NYSC Trust Fund is expected to provide long-term financial support for infrastructure development, vocational training, enterprise development and post-service business financing, strengthening the scheme’s capacity to contribute to youth empowerment and national economic growth once it receives presidential assent.
