Concerned Civil Society Organisations and Youth groups under the aegis of the Centre for Equity, Justice and Transparency, in collaboration with the Save Nigeria Movement, have announced plans to hold a one-day national dialogue to examine proposed reforms to the National Youth Service Corps Act.

The dialogue is aimed at providing a platform for critical stakeholders to make meaningful contributions to the ongoing conversation on the future of the NYSC before the Federal Government concludes its review of the scheme.

Convened by legal practitioners, Sorkaa Tsembelee and Patrick Agbese, the event is expected to bring together senior academics, former corps members, youth organisations, security agencies, including the Chief of Defence Staff, and other key stakeholders.

According to the organisers, the outcome of the dialogue will be compiled into a working document to be presented to the federal government as a broad-based contribution to the reform process.

In a statement issued at the weekend, the organisers said the dialogue would harness stakeholders’ perspectives to reposition the scheme in line with its founding mandate.

“The essence of this dialogue is for critical stakeholders to make input into the proposed NYSC reforms before the President’s administration takes final decisions.

“We will have senior academics, former corps members, youth groups and other members of society to dissect the proposed reforms thoroughly.

“It will thereafter catalyse into a working document for the federal government. We will invite the CDS, the Army and others. Let everyone look at it and say their own,” the statement read in part.

Established in 1973 in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC was created to promote national unity, foster integration among young graduates and encourage nation-building through compulsory one-year service outside their states of origin.

But recurring concerns over the welfare and security of corps members, funding challenges, deployment policies and the relevance of some components of the programme have intensified calls for reforms.

Against this backdrop, the organisers said the dialogue would examine whether the scheme has remained faithful to its founding objectives while identifying legislative and policy adjustments needed to address present-day realities.

“This is not about tearing down an institution that has served Nigeria well; it is about refining it with the collective wisdom of those who have lived the experience and those who study its impact.

“Former corps members carry practical insights that policymakers often miss, and we want those voices at the table.

“Youth groups and civil society must not be spectators while decisions that will shape the next generation of Nigerian graduates are taken. The dialogue creates the space for genuine, structured input,” they stated.

The organisers said participants would deliberate on key issues including corps members’ welfare, orientation camp facilities, deployment procedures, funding, the effectiveness of the Community Development Service component and security for corps members serving in volatile areas.

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