Stop rejecting corps members – Reps caution MDAs 

The House of Representatives has called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop rejecting members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who are posted to them for the mandatory one‑year national service.

The resolution was adopted after a motion sponsored by Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei was moved in a plenary session on Thursday.

Ambaiowei warned that a growing trend of government establishments refusing to accept corps members is depriving young graduates of essential practical experience and hindering their contribution to national development.

He added that the practice exposes many corps members to exploitation by private organisations and, in some cases, to criminal activities because they are not properly engaged during their service year.

The lawmaker further argued that rejecting corps members wastes public resources, noting that the Federal Government continues to pay monthly stipends to graduates who are not effectively utilized in their assigned posts.

He cautioned that such a trend could undermine the objectives of the NYSC scheme and discourage future graduates from actively participating in the programme.

After debate, the House adopted the motion and urged all MDAs, including the National Assembly, to cease rejecting corps members posted to them.

Lawmakers also urged agencies to create work schedules that accommodate and effectively integrate corps members into their operations, thereby maximizing their skills and potential.

Additionally, the House directed its Committee on Youth Development to work with the Director‑General of the NYSC to develop a framework for the effective engagement of corps members and to ensure that their talents are harnessed for national development throughout the service year.