- ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi has called for the National Youth Service Corps scheme to be suspended for one year amid growing security concerns and the abduction of prospective corps members.
- He said the suspension would allow the government to reorganise the scheme and strengthen measures to protect young Nigerians, while later clarifying that the proposal was his personal view, not the official position of the ADC
Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme to be suspended for one year amid growing insecurity and the recent abduction of prospective corps members.
Abdullahi made the call in an interview, arguing that the temporary suspension would give the Federal Government time to reorganise the scheme and strengthen measures to protect young Nigerians.
He maintained that NYSC remains important to national unity but said its operations must be reviewed to reflect the country’s worsening security situation.
“I think the NYSC is still relevant. But I think we need to respond to the current situation of insecurity in the country,” he said.
He added, “If we were to advise the President, we think this is the time to suspend it for at least one year to give room for proper reorganisation, in such a way that it will protect the young people and also make the scheme worthwhile for them.”
Abdullahi’s comments followed the abduction of prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Gunmen reportedly attacked buses carrying the travellers along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.
He questioned how a large number of prospective corps members could be abducted despite the reported security risks along the route.
Abdullahi also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity, arguing that security personnel are not adequately equipped to deal with the situation.
He further criticised President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address over what he described as insufficient attention to the security situation and Nigerians being held captive. He also accused the President of focusing more on the 2027 election than on the people still in captivity.
However, Abdullahi later clarified that the proposal to suspend NYSC for one year was his personal view and not an official position of the ADC. He said he was speaking from his experience as a former Minister of Youth Development.
The proposal has also sparked reactions from Nigerians online, with several people suggesting that corps members should instead be allowed to serve in their states of origin or states of choice.
