The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is now a well-known program in Nigeria, but when it first started, many students opposed it. Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, revealed that Nigerian students strongly resisted the NYSC when his government introduced it.

Gowon shared this information during a visit from the new NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, at his residence in Abuja. He praised the NYSC for its contributions to Nigeria’s development over the past 50 years.

He also spoke about the NYSC’s deployment policy, which sends corps members to states outside their own. This policy helps young Nigerians learn about different cultures and people, promoting unity in the country.

According to Gowon, when the program first started, students across Nigeria rejected it. However, over time, the NYSC has become widely accepted. Today, it plays an important role in national unity, youth empowerment, and job creation.

The NYSC was created during Gowon’s administration as part of Nigeria’s post-civil war recovery plan. It was designed to bring Nigerians together, rebuild the country, and provide young graduates with opportunities to contribute to national development.

Now, over 50 years later, the NYSC remains a key part of Nigeria’s growth and continues to unite young people from different backgrounds.