Amanze Chinonye
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has called for an urgent restructuring or outright abolition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme following the death of a corps member in a bomb explosion in Borno State.
The group, in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, condemned the killing of 26-year-old Chidiebere Orji, who died in a blast in Maiduguri, describing the incident as part of a broader pattern of insecurity facing corps members deployed to volatile regions.
Orji, an indigene of Amurri in Enugu State, was among several victims of the explosion that struck parts of the insurgency-affected city last week. He has since been buried in his hometown.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHURIWA said the tragedy underscores the continued exposure of corps members to security risks, including insurgent attacks, kidnappings, and road accidents, often without adequate protection or emergency response mechanisms.
The group recalled that the NYSC scheme was established in 1973 after the Nigerian Civil War to promote national unity, cultural integration, and youth participation in development. However, it argued that decades later, the programme has failed to meet those objectives in a meaningful or measurable way.
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According to the organisation, the scheme has increasingly become a system that places young graduates in harm’s way, citing cases of abductions and deaths linked to insecurity and poor logistical arrangements.
HURIWA also criticised what it described as systemic inefficiencies and weak institutional leadership within the NYSC Directorate and the Ministry of Youth Development, which it said have contributed to the decline of the scheme’s original vision.
The rights group further claimed that an opinion poll it conducted showed that 85 per cent of Nigerians support scrapping the NYSC, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with the programme.
“The killing of Chidiebere Orji is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of negligence and systemic failure,” the statement said, adding that Nigerian youths should not be exposed to life-threatening risks under a national service scheme.
HURIWA urged President Tinubu to take decisive action by either unbundling and reforming the NYSC into a safer and more efficient structure or abolishing it entirely.
It warned that maintaining the status quo could lead to more avoidable deaths and deepen public distrust in government institutions, stressing that the safety and welfare of Nigerian youths must be prioritised.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
