National Youth Service Corps

:NYSC redirects here. See also New York Supreme Court.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is an organization set up by the Nigerian government to involve the country's graduates in the development of the country. There is no military conscription in Nigeria, but since 1973 graduates of universities and later polytechnics have been required to take part in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program for one year. This is known as national service year. Ahmadu Ali served as the organizations's first Director-General until 1975. The incumbent Director-General is Brig. Gen. Johnson Bamidele Olawumi.

Operations

"Corp" members are posted to cities far from their city of origin, although this posting has recently been marred with series of favouritism. They are expected to mix with people of other tribes, social and family backgrounds, to learn the culture of the indigenes in the place they are posted to. This action is aimed at bringing about unity in the country and to help youths appreciate other ethnic groups. There is an "orientation" period of approximately three weeks spent in a military controlled boot "camp" away from family and friends. There is also a "passing out ceremony" at the end of the year and primary assignment followed by one month of vacation.