My experience with NYSC was not a joyous one in the beginning. For those not familiar with the Nigerian system, NYSC is a program created by the government whereby every graduate is expected to serve the country for a year after graduation.
NYSC is an abbreviation for National Youth Service Corps. When you are in the program you're majorly referred to as Corper or Corps (the s is silent, hahaha) member. The corps members are posted to different parts of the country, especially places you've never been to.
After the service period a discharge certificate is issued which is also a criteria for getting a well paying job in Nigeria.
So, back to my experience. For my NYSC I was initially posted to Kogi, which is in the northern part of Nigeria. Suffice it to say I was not pleased, I had never been to the north and I've heard stories about the north that I didn't want to be a part of.
There's always a 3 weeks orientation camp where we are told all we need to know about the program and how it works. During my 3 weeks orientation I contacted a guy to help me try and reverse my posting, get me redeployed to a better state.
He promised to do that and received payment from me. I was shocked when on the last day of the orientation camp I received my posting letter and I was posted to a high school in a village in Kogi state. I was beyond pissed.
I have never been to the village (including mine) . The thought of having to stay for a year was not pleasing. Even though I was not pleased, I had to report at my PPA (Primary place of assignment) because it was mandatory.
The first week I resumed was depressing for me. I did not smile, nor did I relate with anyone. I just wanted to be left alone. I did not want to be there and I made it clear to everyone.
About 2 weeks later I went to speak with my Lgi (local government inspector) about my redeployment. The water in the area was bad and it was already affecting my skin, I explained things to him and he promised to do what he can about me being redeployed.
Fast forward to 2 months later, I got a call from the first guy I paid to get me redeployed. He told me the redeployment was successful and I have been transferred back to Lagos. It was great news for me.
I got back to Lagos and got a request letter from my present employer and I was posted there to serve for the remaining 9 months. I didn't work for long since Covid came along and we went into lockdown.
My whole experience was a mixture of bitter and sweet. Personally I feel NYSC is a waste of time and a means of free Labour. That doesn't mean it doesn't have its own benefits, some people had better experiences than me.
Would I do it again if I had the chance, absolutely not!
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