The recent abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling to their orientation camps has raised concerns beyond the immediate safety of the victims. It has also brought renewed attention to the relevance of the NYSC scheme and the risks young Nigerians may face while fulfilling the requirements of national service.
Established to promote national unity and encourage interaction among young Nigerians from different parts of the country, the NYSC programme has for decades provided graduates with an opportunity to live and work outside their home states. Through the scheme, young people are posted to different parts of the country, where they contribute to schools, businesses, government institutions and local communities.
However, incidents of kidnapping involving prospective corps members could affect how young Nigerians and their families perceive the programme.
For many graduates, participation in NYSC is not simply a personal decision. Parents and guardians are often involved in the decision because their children have to travel to unfamiliar locations and sometimes remain there for several months. When reports emerge of corps members being attacked or kidnapped while travelling to their places of service, families may naturally begin to question the risks associated with the programme.
One possible consequence is increased reluctance among graduates to participate willingly in the scheme. Some may become particularly concerned about postings to areas perceived to have security challenges, while parents may pressure their children to seek alternative arrangements or avoid travelling until they are certain that adequate security measures are in place.
The story of Abdul-Fatai, a 24-year-old graduate and his parents’ only child, offers a closer look at the issue.
After completing university, Abdul-Fatai was excited about beginning his NYSC journey. His parents had supported him throughout his education and looked forward to seeing him complete the final stage of his transition into working life.
When his posting was released, Abdul-Fatai prepared to travel to his assigned state for the orientation programme. His parents were initially worried about allowing their only child to make the journey alone, but they encouraged him because they believed national service was an important part of his development.
Unfortunately, during his journey to his place of posting, Abdul-Fatai was kidnapped by gunmen.
For his parents, the situation would mean much more than the loss of a passenger on a highway. It would represent the disappearance of their only child while he was attempting to fulfil a national obligation.
The situation reflects a question that many parents could potentially ask themselves: is NYSC really relevant?
While Abdul-Fatai’s story is very heartbreaking, the concern behind it is real. When insecurity affects people travelling for national service, the impact extends to families, communities and the perception of the NYSC programme itself.
