Sowore Reaffirms Call to Scrap JAMB, NYSC, Sparks Debate on Education and National Service Reforms
By Ekpo Eunice Nne
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, political activist, and the 2027 presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), has reiterated his long-standing call for the abolition of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), arguing that both institutions have outlived their original purposes and no longer effectively serve Nigeria's evolving educational and socio-economic needs.
Sowore has consistently maintained that the country's tertiary institutions should be empowered to conduct their own admission processes without relying on a centralized examination body such as JAMB. According to him, universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education should be granted greater autonomy to determine admission standards that reflect their individual academic priorities while ensuring transparency and accountability.
On the National Youth Service Corps, Sowore contends that the scheme has largely failed to achieve its founding objectives of promoting national unity, integration, and youth development. He argues that resources committed to the programme could be redirected toward initiatives that create sustainable employment opportunities, strengthen vocational training, and provide practical support for young graduates entering the labour market.
His position has continued to generate mixed reactions across the country. While many education stakeholders and public commentators defend the continued existence of JAMB and NYSC, citing their roles in standardizing admissions and promoting inter-ethnic understanding, others believe both institutions require substantial reforms to remain relevant in a rapidly changing society.
Several policy analysts and education experts have also expressed concerns similar to those raised by Sowore, although they generally stop short of calling for the complete abolition of the two institutions. Instead, they advocate comprehensive reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, accountability, and service delivery. They argue that Nigeria's education and youth development policies must adapt to current realities, including advances in technology, labour market demands, and the need for more effective national social mobilization.
Supporters of reform further contend that strengthening institutional effectiveness and expanding opportunities for skills development, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement would better prepare Nigerian youths for national development. They maintain that any review of JAMB and NYSC should be guided by broad stakeholder consultations and evidence-based policy decisions.
The debate over the future of JAMB and NYSC has become part of the wider national conversation on governance, institutional reform, and public sector efficiency. As discussions continue, observers say the ultimate objective should be to build institutions that effectively serve the interests of students, graduates, and the nation while advancing inclusive development and national cohesion.
