Suspend NYSC orientation camps for two years – Osinbajo’s Committee on Economic sustainability advises FG

TRACKING___The Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advised the Federal government to consider suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp exercises for two years.

The advice came as part of measures to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus in the country. Nigeria currently has 16, 658 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 424 fatalities.

The Committee made the recommendation in a report presented to President Buhari last week.

“The immediate focus in the Education sector is to address the disruptions caused by the pandemic and ensuing social distancing measures at all levels of education,” the report read.

Practical steps will be taken to minimise disruption to learning, utilising technology as appropriate. Specifically, virtual learning will be implemented (either online or through broadcast), virtual convocation ceremonies or issuance of certificates (with postponed ceremonies) should be implemented to continue educational progression.

In similar context, consideration will be given to suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp Exercises for at least 24 months while allowing deployment to places of primary assignment. This will ensure that there is no backlog in the National Service placement pipeline.” the committee report states

Recall that in March, the NYSC management suspended its orientation camps shortly after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Nigeria.

It is unclear whether the federal government will take the recommendation of the Economic Sustainability Committee to suspend the scheme’s camps.