The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a one-year mandatory program for Nigerian graduates who are below the age of 30. The program aims to foster national unity, patriotism and skills development among the youths.
One of the key components of the NYSC program is the orientation course, which lasts for three weeks and takes place in designated camps across the country.
During this period, the corps members are expected to undergo physical, mental and social training to prepare them for their service year.
However, some prospective corps members may have questions about their eligibility to participate in the orientation course, especially if they are married or pregnant. In this blog post, we will try to answer some of the common questions that may arise regarding this issue.
Can married women participate in the NYSC program?
Yes, married women can participate in the NYSC program, provided they meet the general requirements for the program.
However, they have the option to apply for concessional posting, which means they can request to serve in a state that is close to their husband’s place of residence.
To do this, they need to submit some documents, such as their marriage certificate, husband’s identity card, utility bill and a letter from their husband’s employer. They also need to indicate their marital status during the online registration process.
Can pregnant women participate in the NYSC camp?
No, pregnant women cannot participate in the NYSC camp. This is because the camp activities may pose some health risks to them and their unborn babies.
Therefore, pregnant women are advised to defer their service until after delivery. To do this, they need to submit a medical report from a government or military hospital, stating their expected date of delivery. They also need to indicate their pregnancy status during the online registration process.
