Ex-corps members tell us how to navigate post-NYSC life

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Nigeria has long served as a rite of passage for graduates. Established in 1973, it aims to foster unity and development by deploying young Nigerians to various parts of the country for a year of national service. But once the uniforms and jungle boots are packed away, the daunting question arises: What’s next?

For many ex-corps members, transitioning from NYSC to the workforce can be challenging, often accompanied by uncertainty, financial pressures, and intense job-hunting.

In this interview, I spoke to some ex-corps members, who shared with News Round The Clock how to navigate post-NYSC life.

Funmilayo, who served in Kogi State in 2022, described her post-service period as filled with job applications and aptitude tests. While the wait for a job offer was longer than she’d hoped, she remained resilient and eventually secured multiple offers.

She said, “In all, it was a learning session for me as it equipped me to face new challenges squarely now.” Funmilayo is now a full-time master’s student working a job.

For some, planning for life after NYSC before their service year ends is key

Emmanuel, who relocated to a new city post-service, faced unexpected difficulties. However, having a clear plan helped him stay on track. “I drew out my plan months before my service year ended and hustled with the skills I have while awaiting opportunities,” he explained.

For Johnson, the end of NYSC marked a transition into academia. He spent his NYSC period preparing for exams like the GRE and IELTS. “Immediately after NYSC, I took those exams and started applying for scholarships in different countries,” he shared.

Tayo, who served in Jigawa State and is now a graduate student in the US, took a similar approach. He said he “was already working on getting his master’s before getting his call-up letter.”

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Grace, a 2023/24 service year participant in Osun State, said she embraced freelance opportunities and made personal connections.

She advised corps members to “hop on opportunities to gain experience and knowledge… Network and keep contacts updated.”

She also stressed the importance of staying calm despite external pressures to “have it all figured out.”

For Ibukun, who now works as an account officer supervisor in a real estate company, the post-NYSC experience has been transformative.

He secured a job within two weeks after his service year, saying, “The post-service experience has been full of excitement, freedom, diligence, and a higher dose of responsibility.”

“Of course, more challenges, the higher you rise in life, the more the challenges of life. Every level has a concomitant challenge,” he added.

Like Ibukun, Omolewa, who served in Lagos in 2020 and now works as a corporate communications associate, said her NYSC transition was smooth since she was already employed.

“In fact, I processed my PPA to be my place of work, so not much changed for me after NYSC,” she said.

However, she noted that finishing the program felt like a new chapter. “I felt grown. I could now focus on going after other opportunities that were out of reach because I was bogged down by the NYSC programme,” she said.

Looking back, Omolewa feels she was “a bit myopic” about taking on more opportunities during her service year, advising others that “NYSC always figures itself out.” Now, she pursues her goals fully and “worries about holdbacks later.”

Post-NYSC life can be “rather humbling” and “a little income better than nothing”

Seun, a 2019/2020 Ogun State Corps member and now a data analyst, shared that she initially hoped to land a role at a big company right after NYSC, “like everyone else.” However, things didn’t go as planned.

“I handled my post-NYSC experience by changing my mindset and starting small. A little income is better than nothing, after all,” she reflected. Seun focused on building his skills, earning certifications online, and steadily working his way up. “Gradually, we are getting there,” she added.

“I had to accept the reality that jobs were scarce and a good job was even harder to find,” reflected another ex-corps member, who spoke to me on condition of anonymity about the early days of her job search.

“The first step I took was working with the skill I already had while searching for corporate jobs. I worked as a tailor and took on bespoke requests.”

After two years of “job hunting which proved abortive”, she told me she decided to try a different approach. “I decided to acquire some certifications in Product Marketing Management and Data Analytics to enhance my degree in Communication and Language Arts,” she said.

“This did the magic,” she added. “I got a job in the banking industry a few months after I included these in my CV and have been working hard to advance my career.”

She believed her swift response to a changing job market made a huge difference. “I think what helped me the most was quickly coming to the realization that the world has shifted, and a BSc is no longer adequate to acquire a good job,” she shared.

Sọlá, who served in Akwa Ibom from July 2021 to July 2022, described his post-NYSC experience as “rather humbling.”

As a freelancer and secondary school teacher during his service year, he didn’t have a specific job waiting for him afterward.

“I passed out having ordered a new laptop and gotten a new phone four months prior,” he recalled. His first post-service role was surprisingly unconventional: working as a bartender for ₦500 a day, a job that, as he said, “was rather short-lived” after he landed an editing gig that paid well and led to other freelance work.

Reflecting on the journey, Sọlá admitted, “The truth is I was not ready for what post-NYSC had in store, but I wasn’t lazy.” This drive helped him transition into an IELTS instructor role and pursue opportunities as a copywriter, part-time teacher, YouTube scriptwriter, and even an editor for a friend’s poetry collection in Germany.

His advice to others is clear: “You can do everything you set your mind to. Just position yourself for the opportunity you want.” And, he adds, a “little bit of connection…opens doors you’ll never even know are there.”

Like Sọlá, Ezekiel, who served in Cross River from 2023 to 24, told me he “handled it with a lot of patience, and humility and learnt how to network with people.”

Samuel, who also served in Cross River in previous years before Ezekiel, remarks that NYSC is a valuable time for every corps member, and planning for life after NYSC is crucial.

“It is always good and enjoyable if you make plans for life after NYSC,” he said, “as it will be easier to take deliberate actions and find something meaningful to do immediately.”

A common challenge for many corps members, though, is leaving the program without a clear plan. This lack of preparation can lead to challenges, frustration, and even depression for some who complete the scheme.

He advised, “I would encourage every corps member to make adequate plans before leaving their place of service. Many rush to leave without knowing if that is where they’re meant to be, which can lead to delays in finding fulfillment.”

While post-NYSC life can be challenging, Samuel said that those who define their goals and work toward them with intention often find success.

“If you know what you want to do, follow your passion, and work toward it, you will always stand out,” he added. “Always put God first and take deliberate actions; you’ll get there.”