TVC News Poll: Mandatory Military Training for NYSC Members Sparks Mixed Reactions

Some netizens have expressed mixed reactions to the idea of mandatory military training for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

On X (formerly Twitter), 36.7% of respondents to the poll conducted by TVC News said yes to making military training mandatory for corps members, while 24.4% said no to the proposal. About 34.4% supported the proposal on a voluntary basis, while another 4.4% said their response would depend on the type of training offered during the programme.

On Instagram, the overwhelming response was no (53%), followed by respondents who voted yes (26%). About 16% voted yes, but only on a voluntary basis, while 5% said their stance would depend on the type of training.

On the TVC News WhatsApp channel, the majority of respondents voted that the training should not be mandatory, followed by those who voted in favour of making it mandatory. On Telegram, 50% of respondents voted yes, 35% said it should only be on a voluntary basis, and 20% voted, “depends on the type of training.”

READ ALSO: DG NYSC Urges Corps Members To Contribute To Nation-Building

TVC News Online reports that mandatory military training for corps members was mooted by the Chairman of the NYSC Governing Council, Prince Hilliard Eta, in 2025. He suggested that the training would equip young Nigerians with basic security and survival skills amid the country’s growing security challenges.

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), has also made the call in response to the escalating security challenges facing the nation. A member of the House of Representatives, Zakaria Nyampa, representing Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency in Adamawa State, has proposed scrapping the one-year national service scheme and replacing it with one year of military service and another year for other national service schemes.

Reacting to the poll on Facebook, social media users expressed mixed views. One Facebook user, Golden Son, wrote: “No, because the goal of going to camp is not to become military personnel. There is no need for military training in camp.”

Similarly, Stanley Eluwah maintained that the scheme’s original purpose should not be altered, saying, “No, that is not the intention of the programme. It was introduced immediately after the civil war to foster and promote peace in Nigeria, not as a military organisation or body.”

Eluwah further suggested that efforts should instead be directed towards strengthening the NYSC’s role in promoting national unity and combating tribalism.

Others called for the proposal to be made voluntary rather than compulsory. A user, Auwal Bello, stated: “Optional, but if the corper accepts, then he or she will pass out as a soldier (officer). Because not all corpers are capable of undergoing full military training or serving the nation as soldiers.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Mubarak Thanni, Okon Amah, and Akpa Raphael Ternyôr all advocated for a voluntary arrangement.

“Only on a voluntary basis,” Akpa Raphael Ternyôr wrote.

Some contributors suggested a broader overhaul of the scheme. David Alechenu Adikwu argued that the NYSC should be redesigned to better contribute to economic development.

He said: “No… but it should be restructured into something more useful to the economy. As for now… it’s a waste of government funds.”

Meanwhile, a few respondents backed the military training proposal. Abdulmalik Abubakar Biu expressed support, saying, “Yes, now, no be khaki them they wear too.”

Another user, Ibn Adam, suggested that corps members who undergo such training should be deployed to support security operations in states facing severe security challenges, including Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, Kogi, Enugu, and Ondo.

The debate generated by the poll highlights differing opinions on the future direction of the NYSC scheme and its role in addressing contemporary national challenges.