Let me make this point abundantly clear from the outset – if there is any one thing that is lacking in this ruined enclave called Nigeria, it is unity. Therefore, talking of national unity in a place where everyone is on his/her own, where there is deep divide along ethnic, religious and political lines is tantamount to deception and as such unacceptable.
Truth is, there is no unity in Nigeria. It is only politicians who preach national unity to leverage during elections but in reality hate Nigerians who are not from their own ethic, religious and political leaning. In view of this, gathering thousands of young graduates and sending them to parts of Nigeria where their lives are put in danger is unacceptable, as the condition for such programme has changed for the worst due to insecurity. That is the hard truth and a lot of Nigerians feel exactly that way about NYSC right now. What is mean by “sacrificing NYSC members” borders on –
Security: Corps members are posted to volatile areas with little protection where kidnappings, banditry, communal clashes abound. Parents now beg for “safe” states. The 2011 post-election violence in the North where 10 corps members died is still the reference point.
Welfare: The ₦77,000 allowance in 2024/2025 was an upgrade, but camp feeding, hostels, and PPA treatment are still poor in many states. “Suffering and smiling” for 1 year is uncalled for.
Purpose vs reality: The original idea was to post graduates across Nigeria to foster “national unity”. But in 2026, many ask: Is 1 year in a strange LGA really creating unity, or just exposing youngsters to risk?
The “illusory national unity” argument is that we keep sending 18-24yr olds to “bond” while the systems that should unite us are broken. For instance, no jobs after service. No infrastructure in the places they serve. No safety guaranteed. No real integration – many corps members cluster with “their people” and just count down 365 days. So it starts to feel like the state gets cheap labor and optics of unity, and the corps member bears all the risks.
The counter-argument is that for many, NYSC is the first time they leave their state, eat different food and speak different languages. That does break stereotypes. Community service, CDS groups, health outreaches – some real impact happens at LGA level. National spread, without it, elites’ kids never go outside Lagos/Abuja/PH. Something needs to change for 2027 and beyond
If we want NYSC to stop being a “sacrifice”, 3 things must be on the table: Security: No posting to red zones. Proper insurance. Rapid response when things happen. But can Nigeria be able to do this?
Welfare: There is need for allowance that matches inflation. Decent camp and accommodation. Make the service relevant. Link service to skills and jobs, not just “sweeping” or “teaching” with no pay.
It would be recalled that NYSC was designed in 1973 after the civil war to heal and unite the country. The idea wasn’t bad at the time. The initial idea behind creating the scheme appears to have expired and no longer relevant today. The only people that still want the scheme to continue under the unsafe circumstances are the top government officials who are reaping from the NYSC contracts. Otherwise, none else.
In 2026, for instance, sending young people into unsafe places with no plan and calling it “sacrifice for unity” feels hollow to many. Unity can’t be built by putting the risk only on 21-year-olds.
There have been several recent reports of casualties. It’s the main reason parents are asking for redeployment and for NYSC to be scrapped or posted in-state. The following are documented incidents in the last 12-18 months:
The most recent incident happened in Kogi on August 26, 2026. According to reports,15 NYSC members from 2026 Batch B Stream II were travelling from the Bayelsa orientation camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma to Abuja. Gunmen ambushed 2 buses along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu LGA, Kogi.
The driver of the Peace Mass Transit bus was reportedly killed. Police rescued 11 victims. Four victims are reportedly still missing as of 3 days ago. Relatives took to X and made videos appealing to FG and NYSC to rescue those still in captivity. One abductor reportedly demanded ₦20m ransom. That Kogi corridor has had multiple mass kidnappings in August 2026 alone.
The other 2025-2026 incidents reportedly include Katsina, May 2026: Suspected terrorists killed 4 people including a corps member along Jikamshi–Funtua road. He was travelling for monthly clearance.
Northern Nigeria, March 2026: Corps member “Abba” was kidnapped. A video of him appealing for calm surfaced during ransom negotiations.
Anambra, August 2025: Viral video of a female corps member allegedly assaulted by state security operatives.
Ebonyi, 2025: A female prospective corps member died in a road accident going to orientation camp.
Adamawa, December 2025: Police launched investigation into alleged killing of a corps member travelling to Lamurde LGA after completing service in Katsina.
Anambra, February 2023: 15 corps members rescued after being abducted travelling from Imo camp to Lagos.
Why this keeps happening – long road travel: NYSC requires moving across states — from home to camp, camp to PPA. Routes like Kogi, Kaduna-Abuja, and Katsina are known kidnapping corridors. No escort/security. Corps members travel in public buses with no protection.
“National unity” posting: Afenifere and others have renewed calls to post corps members within their state/zone instead. The abducted Kogi corps members were reportedly posted to Niger State, a notorious bandit and kidnapper’s zone!
NYSC/Police say Police have been doing bush-combing operations and debriefing rescued corps members before allowing them to continue. Kogi police say “all available operational and intelligence resources” are deployed. NYSC has not made a public statement on the Auustg 26 Kogi case yet, but the incidents are fueling calls for review of the scheme.
This is exactly what people mean by “sacrificing NYSC members”. Young people finish 3 weeks of orientation and get abducted on the way to serve. For how long will this be allowed to continue?
What should be done to make NYSC worth it? To make NYSC “worth it” instead of feeling like a risk, we’d have to fix 3 things: Safety, Value, and Welfare. Right now it’s mostly sacrifice. Here’s what would actually change that:
Safety: This is non-negotiable after Kogi, Katsina and Kaduna. In-state/zone posting as default: Post corps members within their geo-political zone. Only volunteers go far. Afenifere and many parents are already demanding this.
Secure transport: NYSC should provide buses with police escort from camp to PPA. No more “board public bus and hope”.
Red zone blacklist: No posting to LGAs with active banditry/kidnapping without military base + accommodation. Publish the list.
Real insurance and compensation: ₦10m life insurance and education support for families if the worst happens. Right now it’s just condolences.
24/7 emergency line that works: With GPS tracking and rapid response team per state.
Value: Make the 1 year build a career, not waste it. People may endure hardship if they come out with something.
Skills and job assurance: Every corps member must leave with 1 certifiable skill: tech, agric, healthcare, trades. Partner with Google, ALX, NITDA.
PPA reform: Ban “tea boy” PPAs. MDAs/companies must pay minimum ₦100k/month and give real work. FG should subsidize it. Give ₦2m low-interest loans to the best CDS business plans, not just lectures. At least 10,000 corps startups per year. Credit for service: 1 year NYSC should be 1 year work experience plus points for civil service/teacher recruitment.
On welfare – dignity during service. The ₦77k allowance is not enough. Allowance should be tied to inflation: Review every 6 months. At least ₦150k minimum in 2027.
Camp and PPA accommodation: Federal standard: bed, light, water, toilet. states that can’t meet it don’t get corps members.
Healthcare: Real HMO coverage. No more “go to PHC and they have no drugs”. Transparency: Publish budget for feeding, kits, etc. per camp. Where is the money going? The bigger question is do we still need 1 year? The answer is capital NO. Countries with similar programs do 6 months plus 6 months paid internship.
NYSC will be “worth it” when a parent can say: “My child is safe, they are learning a skill, they are earning something, and they will get a job after.” Right now most parents can only say: “Please come back alive.”
Dr. Onyekakeyah, a former member of The Guardian Editorial Board, is a public affairs commentator and columnist for The Daily Query.
