THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY WAS TO REVEAL THE CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF NATIONAL YOUTHS SERVICE CORPS IN NIGERIA. THE INSTRUMENT USED WERE QUESTIONNAIRE, THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS USED TO ANSWER THE RESEARCH QUESTIONS MADE UP OF FOUR ITEMS POPULATION FOR THIS STUDY WERE MADE UP OF 120 (ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY) PEOPLE COMPRISING THE NYSC STAFF AND STAFF OF STUDENT AFFAIRS IN FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, OKO. THE INSTRUMENT USED WERE SUPERVISOR AND CORRECTED BY THE SUPERVISED BEFORE THE FINAL COPY WAS MADE. THE DATA COLLECTION WAS ANALYSED IN SIMPLE PERCENTAGE IN CHAPTER FOUR (4) BASED ON THE ANALYSIS. MAJOR FINDINGS WERE INDICATED AND CONCLUSION DRAWN. BASED ON THE FINDINGS, THE RESEARCHER FINALLY MADE HER RECOMMENDATIONS. THAT SUPERVISOR SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO SUPERVISE THE CORPS MEMBERS DURING THEIR SERVICE YEAR. ALSO, THAT PROPER ORIENTATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THEM SO THAT THE AIM OF ACHIEVING NATIONAL INTEGRATION WILL BE ENSURED CATEGORICALLY FROM THE SCHEME.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page i

Approval page ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Abstract vi

Table of contents viii

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background of the study 4

1.2 Statement of the problem 7

1.3 Purpose of the study 9

1.4 Significance of the study 10

1.5 Research questions 12

1.6 Scope of the study 13

1.7 Definition of Terms 13

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW 16

2.0 Introduction 16

2.1 Meaning of NYSC 17

2.2 Origin of NYSC in Nigeria 18

2.3 NYSC as a means of practical on the job training and orientation 19

2.4 NYSC as a means of proving indigenous manpower needed 22

2.5 NYSC and graduates experiment in national integration 24

2.6 Important of NYSC 26

2.7 Summary of Related Literature 27

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY 37

3.1 Brief outline of the study 38

3.2 Design of the study 38

3.3 Area of the study 39

3.4 Population of the study 39

3.5 Sample of the study 40

3.6 Instruments for data collection 41

3.7 Validation of instrument 42

3.8 Distribution and retrieval of the instrument43

3.9 Method of data analysis 43

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Data presentation and analysis 45

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

Findings 53

Summary of findings 54

Recommendation 54

Conclusion 57

Limitations of the study 58

Suggestions for further studies 59

Questionnaires 61

Appendix 65

References 66

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Experience, training or Orientation is the power and test of every work done or to be done in human history. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is the only means through which graduates can obtain the best training, orientation of up-bringing of the theoretical context of what they study and equally the challenges to face as an independent entity.

According to Oxford advance learners Dictionary 7^th Edition it defines Orientation as training or information that is given before starting a new job, course etc. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has it’s emphasis on the idea of orientation and National Integration of graduates of various higher Institutions. With these orientation and Integration, graduate from all tribe, race and ethnic diversities are show how life should be after school and how perform job with the trainer’s supervision. Oxford advance learners Dictionary, Special Price Edition Saw Integration as act or process of mixing people who have previously been separated, usually because of colour, race, religion etc. Therefore National Youth Service Corps is a type of training and integration designed to expose and prepare graduates of higher institutions for this purpose, ie what they are likely to meet after graduation. The scheme or programme affords the opportunity of being familiarized and exposed to various culture, tradition and interaction and equally the experiences needed.

This study however is not aimed at looking at what is training is all about or the meaning of NYSC rather it is to critically assess the National Youth Service Corps towards enhancing National Integration, using Anambra State in Nigeria as a case study. The case study is a state in South East Nigeria which was created to promote integration of people from various race to enhance National Development. These graduates which are integrated and oriented will become managers of human resource and administrators of various ministries in the state and Nigerian at large.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This research work is being conducted to find out or make a critical assessment of NYSC in Nigeria and in Anambra in particular. What NYSC has done or would do for the Nigeria graduates. The National Youth Service Corps is a programme designed to inculcate discipline to the Youths by instilling in them a tradition of industry and dedication and of patriotic and loyal service to the Nation in any situation in which they may find themselves. Secondly the raising of the moral tone of the youths by giving them the opportunity to learn about higher ideals of National achievement and social and cultural improvement. Thirdly the development of attitudes of mind and acquired suitable training, which will make them more amenable to mobilization in the national interest. A also the central focus of this scheme includes the development of common ties among the youths and the promotion of national unity by ensuring that the participants in the scheme are assigned to states other than their states of origin, or residence, that each group assigned to work together, is as representative of the country as possible. The participant the equally exposed to the mode of living of people in different parts of the country with a view to removing pre-judices, eliminating ignorance, and confirming at first hand the many similarities among Nigerian’s of all ethnic groups, the encouragement of the participants in the scheme to seek, at the end of their NYSC service, career employment all over the country thus promoting the free movement of high level manpower in the nation, and finally to induce employers to employ more readily than ever before qualified Nigeria’s irrespective of their state of origin.

Anambra State which is one of the five South East State was created in 1991 under the military regime of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to further enhance Development through manpower procurement, basic infrastructural facilities and other basic necessary amenity Anambra has first creation in and second creation in the year 1991 with their capital at Awka. The orientation camp of NYSC in Anambra is located in Umuanya in Oyi Local Government has ruled Anambra Since it’s creation. Presently the seat is chaired by Peter Obi of all progressive grand Alliance “APGA” for second term.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

It has been observed that some graduates have some misconception about this programme as provided by federal government. Some graduates for example equate the programme with holidays jobs or as three weeks picnic. Hence, the aims and the commitment is lacking and so the skills and experience to be gained may at the end not be acquired. Infact many of the graduates regards the camp allowances and monthly “Alawie” stipends as vital.

Again, there is reluctance among large numbers of employers to accepts and provide facilities necessary for meaningful service year. Their fear is that must of these graduates are inexperienced to hand certain delicate machines and tools without damaging them during their primary assignment, a situation in which student are not allowed to use certain equipments does not provide the desired motive needed to prepare them for the task ahead.

Also, some of these graduates are not supervised during their primary assignment at all and are not fully secured and protected, as most of them are deployed to a poor locality. All these are challenges which the scheme should addressed.