Reviewing The Nysc Programme Amidst Rising Security Concerns: An Analysis Of Kidnapping And Killings Of Corps Members In Nigeria.
Ass. Professor Orie, Sylvester Okorie, PhD, MSc, MPA, MBA, PGD, BSc, CNA, FCNA, FNIM, FCAI.
Department of Public Administration & Policy Studies, Tansian University Umunya, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Abstract
The persistent national debate surrounding the security implications of the National Youth Service Corps programme has attracted growing scholarly, policy, and public attention in recent years. Established in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War as a strategic instrument for fostering national integration, intercultural understanding, and youth participation in national development, the programme has historically served as one of the most enduring pillars of Nigeria’s nation‑building architecture. However, the intensifying wave of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts across several regions of Nigeria has raised legitimate concerns regarding the safety of corps members and the long‑term sustainability of compulsory national service. Against this backdrop, this study critically examined the NYSC programme amidst rising security concerns with the principal objective of assessing its contemporary relevance, identifying emerging vulnerabilities affecting corps members, and proposing practical institutional reforms capable of strengthening the resilience and credibility of the scheme. The study adopted a mixed‑methods research design integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The population of the study covered stakeholders across public sector institutions, academia, political leadership, non‑governmental organisations, religious and traditional institutions, youth and women organisations, and civil society advocacy groups. Data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources including structured questionnaires, in‑depth interviews, focus group discussions, peer‑reviewed journal publications, policy documents, security reports, and reputable media analyses. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques such as frequency distributions and percentages while qualitative evidence was subjected to systematic thematic content analysis. Data processing and statistical evaluation were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The analytical framework of the study was anchored on the insights of Social Contract Theory, Structural Functionalism, and the Human Security paradigm, while complementary research strategies such as triangulation, stakeholder analysis, and comparative institutional assessment were employed to enhance analytical rigour. The findings revealed that although the NYSC programme continues to promote national cohesion, youth exposure, and grassroots development, persistent insecurity has weakened public confidence in the scheme and increased the vulnerability of corps members in certain deployment locations. The study therefore recommends security‑driven deployment policies, strengthened collaboration with security agencies, improved welfare and insurance protection, technology‑supported monitoring systems, stronger community partnerships, and periodic policy reforms to align the programme with contemporary governance realities. Ultimately, the enduring vitality of the NYSC programme lies in its ability to unite young citizens in service to national progress, and with decisive reforms it can continue to inspire unity, responsibility, and collective national advancement.