Dilemma of leaving the diaspora for NYSC

Dilemma of leaving the diaspora for NYSC
By Ade Akinwale
June 29, 2011

Many a Nigerian youth in the diaspora is faced with a common dilemma after graduating from the university: the choice of going back home for the compulsory youth service or taking on the exciting career prospects available in their country of residence. The prudent ones take on career opportunities with international organisations and gain skills and experiences which still elude the best corporate firms in Nigeria. Their career progression is fast, professional experiences are globally profound, and the gains of a rigorous tertiary education are soon enjoyed.

Those with a deep sense of patriotism (or unable to secure work permits) return home and complete the service year, placing their career prospects in the hands of God and their dad’s connections. They live in squalor at the NYSC camp, face untold hardship, and suffer illnesses, and more recently death threats throughout the duration of the programme. A large number of them are penitent of their decision to partake in the programme; many abscond, vowing never to return to Nigeria; few pay the ultimate price through drivel violence, tropical illnesses and road traffic incidents, while those who scale through are delivered unto the fangs of the enraging Nigerian job market.

If it is established that Diezani Allison-Madueke chose to follow in the steps of the prudent, I can only salute her mettle. If I had a choice of resuming as a junior analyst at Goldman Sachs in September or completing NYSC, I definitely know what my choice will be. I as a child had pledged not only to serve Nigeria with all my strength, but also to uphold her honour and glory. An exemplary character, a passion for excellence and a resolve to be the best Financial Analyst there is at Goldman Sachs would be the best way to fulfil that pledge to my country.

The reality that NYSC has become more of an affliction for the Nigerian youth rather than a programme that promotes unity and progress in the country cannot be over-emphasised; there is now more than ever the need to separate true patriotism from abstruse and dictatorial bureaucracy which the compulsory NYSC represents.

Thousands of Nigerians in the diaspora are willing to use their wealth of experience to bring about change in the country and the NYSC monster continuously rears its ugly head, depriving the nation of seasoned professionals. How ridiculous is it then that the same dictatorial NYSC Act in a flagrant act of academic discrimination excludes Nigerian university students (regardless of their age) who studied via part-time and distance learning in the country, many of whom are desperate to partake in the programme, and constantly protest their exclusion. If the country requires young graduates to serve, why not engage those who are on ground and are eager to serve, and grant exemptions to those in Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada whose location and commitments make it difficult for them to spare time to participate? Why require those in distant continents to forsake their families, careers and prospects whilst accusing them of treason should they refuse? Serving one’s country should be a thing of pride and joy, not borne out of compulsion and repressed disdain as is the case of NYSC.

The NYSC programme should be made flexible to exempt those with extenuating circumstances who choose to opt out of the programme, especially those youth living in the diaspora. I urge President Goodluck Jonathan to take advantage of this and recent happenings to infuse flexibility into the NYSC programme, in the interest of national development.

Ade Akinwale is at the University of Sunderland