By: Oluwatise Benson
As the sun sets on another batch of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, a mixture of feelings contaminates the camp air. The emotions of a new chapter is hindered by the unpredictability of what is ahead. For many Nigerian youths, the experience is a bridge between the comfort of education and the “shege” the real world has prepared.
Although he is done with his service, Precious Dahusi said “I wish I had done it in another state that I was comfortable in, and although I made friends but the stress, I could’ve prepared better for that.” He also confessed to enjoying the process and had little to no expectations and just “going with the flow and I’m happy with how it turned out.” He also thinks the current living situation makes saving during your service year impossible, contrary to what people say.
Tekena Odum, who served in Lagos, advises current members to “network and make friends to share ideas with,” stressing that the friends you make will go a long way in securing job placements, he then revealed that it wasn’t a bad experience for him and it was everything he heard about NYSC that he experienced.
Another corper I spoke with asked to remain anonymous, so allow me take a page out of the book called A Game of Thrones and call her “The Nameless Girl.” She opened up to me and made me understand that “my emotions and thoughts towards completing my service year are just mixed feelings and confusion, what am I supposed to do now? I’m so scared for October but I know it’ll work out.” For people like the nameless girl, the journey starts with job hunting and as we all know, the job market in Nigeria can be cruel. For other corpers, they can use their NYSC experience to launch their careers, venture into the entrepreneurial world, turn hobbies and passions into businesses, create jobs that the government refused to create for themselves. After the mandatory year of service, corp members face the not-so-easy task of finding their place in society. The transition can be exhausting but also provides an opportunity for growth and self-discovery, “I got more confident and the constant allowance has also been helping me, I use part of it to get equipment for fashion designing” she confessed, stating that living in another state can be challenging with expensive rates in transportation.
The nameless girl also said “NYSC has hindered my growth as a fashion designer as I barely have time for myself anymore, I don’t have a lot of friends and the only person that keeps me company is my twin” and I’m sure it was all part of the plan when the corps was created by Yakubu Gowon 51 years ago, to learn, unlearn & relearn things, not only about our “Father’s land” but also about ourself. As they trade khaki for corporate attires, corpers carry these lessons into life’s journey.
Though the khaki uniform may be a thing of the past, the spirit of service, friendship, brotherhood, and determination lives on, igniting a brighter future for Nigeria. In summary, life after NYSC is a discovery, growth, and exploration journey. Despite the uncertainty ahead, the experiences and lessons learned during the service year lay a solid foundation for success. As the newest corps members take flight, they carry with them the hope and promise of a brighter future for themselves and Nigeria.