Hello all,

I'm not sure if this has been discussed before but I'm hoping someone will have some info about this.

Alright, I left Nigeria for the US. after my JS2 year, right? Now I'm looking for work in Nigeria (after completing middle school, high school, Bachelors, MBA, and working for over 7 years in the US.) and I'm trying to find out what the NYSC rules are.

One of my friends currently just moved back to Nigeria and got a job and from what she said, there's some kind of exempt form you can fill if you didn't complete your schooling in Nigeria. But she's going through a bit of a hassle with her NYSC stuff now I guess since she only had two months left in her NYSC program before she travelled abroad. But I don't know what the deal with hers is,

But someone else told me that since I didn't complete University in Nigeria, I won't be required to go through the NYSC.

So I guess I'm wondering if anyone knows for sure how it works, but PLEASE tell me I won't have go through NYSC just to work in Nigeria when I've already been working all these years in another country!

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Hi, I am currently a youth corps member and will be through with my program in september. From the orientation we had in camp, we were informed that anyone who wishes to work in Nigeria must pass through the NYSC program irrespective of where u schooled. that is, as long as u r a Nigerian u must serve d nation for one year b4 u can work here. though I am not in support of this cos it doesn't encourage Nigerians in diaspora to return to precious fatherland. for more info u can visit the NYSC website: www.nysc.gov.ng

Thank you for that info. I just went on the website and I think making it mandatory is ridiculous cuz honestly at this point the NYSC is a waste of my time all in the name of working in Nigeria.

I can see if I just finished school abroad and I wanna come home to begin my career in Nigeria, yeah that might make some sense; but what of people who have built careers in other countries and want to come back home; they're gonna have to go to some youth service corp?? Umm, okay.

Where you expect the govt. to be sharp, they're not sharp Areas where you expect flexibility from them, that's when every muscle and tendon in their body rises up.

I also think they're inhibiting the potential influx of people as well that would wanna work there. But anyway, there has to be a way, I'll figure something out.

Thanks again for the info.

I would suggest that you contact your potential employer(s) and ask for their position on this. Seven years working experience post-graduation is no joke, especially in a foreign country and considering the qualifications and skills you've acquired. As you said, I think it would be ridiculous for you to have to go through all that. Considering how long you've stayed abroad, it might be possible for you to be employed as an expatriate with a right to work in Nigeria, if your employer is willing to go down that route.
Otherwise, you could sign up for the scheme. Since you studied abroad, you're almost certain to get your state of preference, especially if it's Lagos or Abuja. Go for the three-week orientation and then get your employer to request for you to be posted to them for your primary assignment. In the event you get posted elsewhere, just make sure you get a rejection leter, and then get a letter of request from your employer and then apply for reposting. It's not a very hard process. Just make sure you discuss with your employer beforehand, especially concerning your workplace status while serving with reference to salaries, benefits etc. If the company really wants you, they'll have no problem doing all that, quite a few people were in such situations during my service year batch.

I agree that some ammendments should be made for those who studied abroad and have substantial work experience.