NYSC’s fatal neglect, family shares painful loss

March 16, 2025

By Adedoja Adesoji

A heartbreaking tale of loss and neglect has been shared by KuffyEyo, an online user who recounted the tragic story of a cousin who lost her life during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2019.

According to KuffyEyo, the 23-year-old corps member contracted a viral illness in a rural area of Ebonyi State, which triggered Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder.

The illness left her paralyzed and hospitalized for four agonizing months.

Despite numerous letters and pleas for assistance, the NYSC parastatal allegedly failed to provide adequate support or care, leaving the family to bear the burden alone.

“cousin died in 2019, during her NYSC.
She contracted a viral illness in a rural Ebonyi that triggered Guillain-Barré syndrome and had her paralyzed and hospitalized for 4 months.
Despite numerous letters to the parastatal, they did not help. She was 23.” The user tweeted

The young woman’s life was tragically cut short, leaving behind a family forever scarred by the experience.

KuffyEyo’s story is a stark reminder of the systemic flaws and neglect that have plagued the NYSC scheme for years.

For years, many have advocated for a comprehensive overhaul of the scheme, citing concerns over safety, welfare, and the overall relevance of the program. The NYSC was established in 1973 to promote national unity and development, but critics argue that it has failed to adapt to the changing needs of Nigerian youth.

Another user, @LokojaJunction, shared a disturbing testimony, highlighting the alarming frequency of such incidents:

“I personally know of at least 3 different people who died in their service year directly because of contracting an infection similar to this one. We haven’t even mentioned those dying from accidents, bandit attacks, or election violence recorded on video.”

However, the scheme has faced numerous criticisms, including allegations of corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of adequate infrastructure.

Many corps members have reported experiencing difficulties in accessing basic amenities, such as healthcare, accommodation, and sanitation, during their service year.

In recent years, there have been repeated calls for the reform or even scrapping of the NYSC.

In 2020, a member of the House of Representatives introduced a bill to abolish the scheme, citing its alleged ineffectiveness and wastage of resources.