The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says 4,644,808 Nigerians have participated in the scheme since it was established in 1973.
Shuaibu Ibrahim, NYSC director-general, disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference in Abuja.
Ibrahim said the scheme has since been able to achieve national unity and integration.
He added that 1,132,409 corps members had also been equipped with skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development (SAED) package of the scheme.
“The objectives of the NYSC include; to inculcate discipline in Nigerian youths by instilling in then a tradition of industry at work and of patriotic and loyal service,” he said.
“Since inception, 4,644,808 Nigerians have participated in the scheme.”
The scheme was established in May 1973 by Yakubu Gowon, former head of state, to create an avenue for the reconciliation, reconstruction, and rebuilding of the nation after the 1967-1970 civil war.
It was established based on decree No. 24 which states that the scheme was created “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity.”
Every Nigerian graduate of a tertiary institution is expected to participate in the one year compulsory scheme before they can work in the civil service.
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