The Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has disclosed that the Federal Government will soon issue a directive mandating all government agencies and parastatals to accept corps members posted to them under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Olawande addressed concerns over the rejection of corps members despite the government’s recent decision to lift restrictions on their deployment to private sector organizations.

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He said, “Let them post them first, then we would tackle the rejection. In part of the memo we sent to the NYSC, we clearly stated that there is no barrier. Before now, there was a barrier that corps members could not be posted to certain places.

“Banks come and take them now. If you don’t have experience in banking, how do you want to know that you are good at accounting or whatever? This is also part of how you should learn whatever you studied.”

Olawande revealed that the ministry plans to submit a memo to President Bola Tinubu, requesting an executive order to compel all government agencies and parastatals to accept corps members assigned to them.

“It is a process; we can’t do everything at once. The one in our capacity, we have thrown it out. So, on the barrier, we are also waiting. I know about that too. We will work, and that is why teamwork is good,” the minister added.

Biztellers reports that the Federal Government on November 19, 2024, lifted a longstanding restriction that limited corps members’ postings to public sector institutions.

This policy change now permits the deployment of corps members to private organizations, including banks and oil companies, to broaden their professional exposure.

Olawande also addressed concerns about the delay in implementing the new N77,000 monthly allowance for corps members. While confirming the increase, he assured that the process is nearing completion.

“It is a process. When the government increases so and so, it will follow a process. We are in the process; very soon they will see it. It is not rocket science.

“It has been increased; nobody is saying it has not been increased. But the implementation is in process. And very soon, we are at the tip of it, it is going to start, and we will implement it perfectly,” he stated.

The minister’s remarks come as the government intensifies efforts to address challenges within the NYSC program and enhance the overall experience of corps members, ensuring their contributions to both public and private sectors are maximized.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has announced a significant drop in Nigeria’s unemployment rate, which fell to 4.3% in the second quarter of 2024, down from 5.3% in the first quarter.

The data was revealed in the Nigeria Labour Force Survey (NLFS) report for Q2 2024, released on Monday.

The report highlighted improvements across several labor market indicators.

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The labor force participation rate among the working-age population rose to 79.5% in Q2 2024, compared to 77.3% in Q1.

Similarly, the employment-to-population ratio climbed to 76.1%, an increase of 2.9 percentage points from the 73.2% recorded in the first quarter.

On a year-on-year basis, however, the employment-to-population ratio saw a slight decline from 77.1% in Q2 2023.

The NBS also noted a reduction in the combined unemployment and time-related underemployment rate, which fell to 13% in Q2 2024 from 15.3% in Q1.

Urban vs. Rural Unemployment

A closer look at the data revealed disparities in urban and rural unemployment rates.

The unemployment rate in urban areas was 5.2% in Q2 2024, nearly double the 2.8% recorded in rural areas.

Youth and Education Employment Metrics

The youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) stood at 6.5% in Q2 2024, while unemployment among individuals with secondary education was slightly higher at 7.6%.

The report also showed that 12.5% of youth were not in education, employment, or training (NEET), with a higher proportion of females than males in this category.

Informal Sector Employment

Informal employment remained dominant in the Nigerian labor market, accounting for 93% of jobs. Additionally, 3.7% of the working-age population was engaged in subsistence agriculture.

Time-Related Underemployment Declines

The time-related underemployment rate dropped to 9.2% in Q2 2024 from 10.6% in the previous quarter, marking continued progress in addressing labor underutilization.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to investigating civil servants who continue to receive salaries after relocating abroad, according to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack.

Speaking during an event in Abuja marking her first 100 days in office, Walson-Jack debunked claims that the investigation had been abandoned, emphasizing the government’s resolve to address the issue. The event also served as an opportunity to review her tenure in the civil service.

The investigation, launched five months ago by President Bola Tinubu, aims to ensure that civil servants who have relocated for better opportunities no longer benefit from Nigeria’s payroll system. Supervisors and department heads who facilitate such fraudulent activities are also being held accountable.

Walson-Jack revealed that the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) is being employed to scrutinize workers’ movements.

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“You are asking about civil servants who may have ‘Japa’. We know that the issue was raised, and some verifications were carried out. Since then, some returned quickly, while others retired honourably,” she said.

“Right now, we are continuing the process, scrutinising the IPPIS payroll to identify those who are still in the country and those who are not. This will be an ongoing process to ensure that people cannot receive salaries while living abroad,” she added.

Acknowledging progress, Walson-Jack assured that the government would monitor the situation until it is fully resolved.

Reflecting on her tenure, she expressed gratitude to her team, highlighting the support of the ‘Super Permanent Secretaries’ as instrumental to her success.

“The first 100 days in office is a significant milestone. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements made, assess progress, and set goals for the future,” she noted.

Walson-Jack also addressed job racketeering, pledging to work with the Federal Civil Service Commission to eliminate fraudulent recruitment practices.

“Where someone has obtained a job through fraudulent means, we will work with the commission to ensure that the person is sanctioned,” she stated.

This ongoing investigation underscores the government’s effort to restore integrity within the civil service system and ensure accountability at all levels.