National Youth Service Corps

There is no military conscription in Nigeria but since 1973 graduates of Universities and later Polythecnics have been required to take part in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. Exemptions are allowed for people who are over the age of thirty at graduation or have previously served in the military.

Corp members are expected to serve in states other than their state of origin or where they went to university. Service is for a period of one year starting with an orientation camp which lasts about one month followed by deployment to a place of primary assignment which involves teaching at a school for about 70% of corps members. There is a "passing out ceremony" at the end of the primary assignment followed by one month of vacation.